 2015- Lenny Henry and a group of children in Ethiopia celebrate the first ever Red Nose Day. Over 150 celebrities and comedians take part as 30 million viewers watch a huge night of TV on the BBC and raise over £15 million. It will be crazy Friday in the UK March 24, 2017, as Red Nose or Comic Relief day arrives. Once every two years fund raisers give their all to encourage us all to donate whatever we can afford to help others. In the run up to the day groups, individuals and celebrities are raising money for charity. In many cases it is "do something funny for money." 2015 was a special year in the history of comic relief On July 13 1985 the first Live Aid concert was held. Bob Geldof, of the Boomtown Rats, and Midge Ure, Ultravox vocalist, had the idea to host a charity concert in aid of those suffering from famine in Ethiopia. Images and footage of the suffering and dying were filling air-time around the world with people moved to act but unsure how to help alleviate the suffering; so Band Aid was an idea to help but not just any old concert; two simultaneous concerts, one in London in the UK and one in the USA. Musicians were pestered by Geldof to perform for free and the event was going to be like no other concert, which was fitting as the Ethiopian famine was also breaking all records. Live Aid and its associated charity raised millions in aid and continues to do so. In the UK the money raised by musicians, by way of Live Aid, inspired other events and charities. Sport Relief and Comic Relief followed. Comic Relief, which also became known as Red Nose Day, raises money for charity in fun and humorous ways Every two years red noses go on sale. The design is tweaked a little each year so it is easy to spot a cheapskate who is wearing an old model. A little history from the Comic Relief website; "On Christmas Day, [1985] Comic Relief is launched live on BBC One from the Safawa refugee camp in Sudan during Noel Edmonds’ Late Late Breakfast Show. The producer is Helen Fielding (before her Bridget Jones days!)" Wikipedia says "Comic Relief is an operating British charity, founded in 1985 by the comedy scriptwriter Richard Curtis and comedian Lenny Henry in response to famine in Ethiopia." But it was Jane Tewson's idea. Jane is a well known charity worker. "The highlight of Comic Relief's appeal is Red Nose Day, a biennial telethon held in March, alternating with sister project Sport Relief. Comic Relief is one of the two high profile telethon events held in the United Kingdom, the other being Children in Need, held annually in November." Red Nose Day British people are traditionally very giving even in tough economic times. Comic relief will raise millions of pounds for charities across the world and at home in the UK. And in 2017 people in East Africa are again facing severe famine. As the UK gears up for main event Friday fund raisers are already working hard. Friday will be a day of fun, and silly nonsense, all aimed at raising money for those who need help the most. Heads will be shaved, strips performed, amateur performances staged and races run all in the name of charity. In 2013 we reported "Since 1985, Comic Relief has raised over £800 million to tackle poverty and social injustice across the UK, Africa and some of the world’s poorest countries" and that is a proud achievement. But "At the end of the 2015 Red Nose Day telethon on 14 March it was announced that in the 30-year history of Comic Relief the Red Nose Day and Sport Relief appeals had raised in excess of £1bn (£1,047,083,706). Please give generously. http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/tv-preview-comic-relief-2017-bbc1-7pm-charity-actually-a7634131.html https://donate.oxfam.org.uk/emergency/eastafrica https://www.rednoseday.com/
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