Besides being yet another Friday 13th… today is indeed Comic Relief‘s Red Nose Day!
Ah, you wonder. What’s that? Well, from their respective websites:
Comic Relief:
Our vision is ‘a just world free from poverty’.
Our mission, thanks to our comedy heritage and the fantastic relationship we enjoy with the BBC, is ‘positive change through the power of entertainment’.
And our biggest tool, in trying to achieve these two goals, is the ability to inspire people across the whole country especially those who don’t normally do charity – to do charity.
And Red Nose Day (RND):
Red Nose Day is, quite simply, a day like no other! We take some fantastic fundraising in schools, offices and homes across the land, mix it with the nation’s favourite celebrities getting up to all kinds of mischief, sprinkle a new Red Nose (or three!) across the entire UK and add a cracking night of comedy on BBC One to make Red Nose Day the phenomenon it is.
If you are intrigued further, I highly suggest going through the nifty flip-book style storyline of RND’s ‘Story So Far’.
One of the main goals (emphasised this year – there are many things Comic Relief as a charity help towards all year round) is to raise money towards putting a stop to the malaria crisis in Africa. You’ve only got to see a short clip of one of the many films made about parents who are watching their babies and children die from malaria, and you’ll feel just how serious this is.
The mind boggling thing about it all is that malaria is something easily preventable. Something we (the developed world) don’t even have to think about, yet is something that kills a child in Africa every 30 seconds. I don’t think I’m the only one who literally gets wet eyes even thinking about that for a moment.
I’m not writing this blog post to… well, bring sadness to your day. Red Nose Day has always been something I’ve always enjoyed being a part of since I was old enough to understand what it meant. I thought I would take this time to share what I’ve done for it today (admittedly, not much, but it’s better than nothing) and to also help spread the word just that little bit further.
So I first decided to follow one of Red Nose Day’s twitter accounts (they have a number of them for different things). This was to mainly follow how the Red Nose Climb of Mount Kilimanjaro went.
Then tonight, via the very useful BBC iPlayer I managed to watch the documentary about the climb as a whole and it immediately made me want to donate.
And I did. £30. I know it’s not much, but the point is that if everyone gives then it amounts to quite a lot. I then gave another £1 for a red nose to be added to an uploaded photo of my choice. I believe this is the first year ‘digital noses’ have been available – usually you buy a physical round red nose to wear during the day.
I then ‘donated’ my Facebook status to RND, to be updated by their page as they choose.
All in all, small actions, by one (small?) person but still completely worthwhile.
One of the reasons Comic Relief and Red Nose Day is something I love is simply because it’s making a difference in the world by making ‘ordinary’ folk give through laughter. And I love laughter. 
@ 23:06 Friday 13th the total money raised was standing at £32,802,411. Wow.
Update @ 21:53 Saturday 14th the total for Red Nose Day itself was £57,809,938. I’ve also given a bit more money by downloading £10 worth of singles from the top 40 on iTunes. (25p from a 79p song in the top 40 will be donated from iTunes to Comic Relief – amongst donations from other downloads as well).
Happy Red Nose day! For a minute I was scared, cos we have Red Nose day in Australia too and I thought I had missed the entire thing! (i.e. missed all the advertising, people selling red noses etc) – but then I realised you’re from the UK. haha.
That’s an amazing amount that’s been raised so far, hope people continue to give generously to help those less fortunate than themselves.
@ Monica
Wow – I didn’t realise Australia had Red Nose Day too. That’s pretty cool! When do you have yours?
The total for the day is now £57,809,938! That’s a record amount for RND in it’s history.
I didn’t get to watch comic relief this year. I need to go an donate some money though, I always try to when it’s comic relief or children in need.
That’s amazing! I’ve never heard of Red Nose Day. I’m from the states, so maybe we don’t have it here. But I have heard of Comic Relief. See, it’s not how much you give that matters, it’s that you actually gave a damn to give something, that matters
Good luck.
Samanthas last blog post..I’ve been telling a lie.
I didn’t celebrate Red Nose Day this year – I forgot about it! I feel guilty, though, because it’s for charity and everything.
Ohh, so that’s what those red things were on facebook! I saw them in the gift section, but didn’t realize they were for a good cause!
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As for me, I chose to donate to PAWS. It’s for dogs. I love dogs and it breaks my heart when I see animal cruelty.
One Wicked Souls last blog post..Settling In
Oh I was so happy when I saw your comment on my blog! I’ve missed you! (And I really wouldn’t mind if you left looong comments – I love hearing from you!)
This is the first time I’ve heard of Red Nose Day! I think what you did was wonderful dear. I try to donate every year to UNICEF. I get regular emails and snail mail from them. I try to get other people to donate too. It feels great to be able to help others in our own little ways. Every little bit counts.
Aislinns last blog post..Frustrated, Inc.
That sounds like a really interesting event, red nose day hehe. I’ve never heard of it. It’s cute that you donated your facebook status to it. It’s wonderful that you donated actual money to the organization. Even if it’s not a huge amount, it’s something and shows you put some thought and care into it.
Julies last blog post..The birthday countdown has begun
Red Nose Day and Comic Relief is a good idea, however I found the programme on the tv a bit over the top and unfunny :/ In previous years, it was funny, but it just seemed this year, it wasn’t as good as it used to be…
RND is pretty neat. I found out about it through McFly two years ago, lol. I think we had posters at bus stops regarding it too.
Marshas last blog post..Earth Hour
I had never heard about RND before I read this blog post. It sounds great. I give money to charity every month and it feels so good knowing that you do something, even if it’s just donating a small sum of money.
Angelicas last blog post..Dream away
this is rather interesting. it’s the first
I’ve heard of red nose day. looks fun ;D
Nadines last blog post..Fixing things
wow I never heard of rednose day either. I feel out the loop!!
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That sounds interesting! I’ve never heard about Red Nose Day before. But it looks incredibly fun!
Sheedas last blog post..Swensen’s Delectable Delight!
What a novel idea! This is the first I’ve heard of it as well. Anything that’s for a good cause is always welcome in my book
I’m off to mark Mar 13 2010 in my calendar!
Mercolas last blog post..Enhance your Immune System with the Benefits of Probiotics
Wow! That’s a lot of money raised.
I’ve heard of Red Nose Day before but we don’t do it over here in America. It sounds like a great cause though! Well done on your efforts. No effort is too small. 
Milans last blog post..Mission (More Than) Accomplished
I knew who Comic Relief was, but I had never heard of Red Nose Day. I’m glad it was so successful, though! And you’re right, every little bit counts.
That sounds amazing
Ohhh that’s pretty cool! I never heard of RND before, but I love fundraising and getting people who never considered fundraising before to do so :] awesome! Thanks for mentioning it ~
Hi. Want to exchange links?
Wow! That’s a lot of money raised.
I’ve heard of Red Nose Day before but we don’t do it over here in America. It sounds like a great cause though! Well done on your efforts. No effort is too small. 
Milans last blog post..Mission (More Than) Accomplished