Red Nose Day which aims to raise money for Comic Relief is set to beat its 2003 fund raising record with more than �37m donated so far.
This year's theme was "big hair and beyond" and it was also the twentieth anniversary of the charity which aims to tackle poverty and social injustice in the UK and Africa.
Comedians Peter Kay, Dawn French, Ricky Gervais, Lenny Henry, Ruby Wax and Liza Tarbuck were among the stars who appeared on Friday's TV show on BBC 1.
Singers Sir Elton John, George Michael and Robbie Williams also featured in Little Britain sketches broadcast during the seven-hour telethon.
What did you do for Red Nose Day? Did you take part in any fund raising events? Send us your comments and photos.
This debate has now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.
Your comments:
 |  I loved Peter Kaye and "Amarillo" |
The school where I work has organised a Strictly Come Dancing contest where the children are teaching teams of staff to perform dance routines and then children pay to vote for the winners. I spent Comic Relief night in front of the telly, wildly fluctuating between laughter and tears watching the film cameos from Africa - it makes you realise what a rich life we all are privileged to live here, when it takes so little to make others in desperate need so happy. I loved Peter Kaye and "Amarillo" - such a happy song and a simple but effective video. Hope it gets to number one! I'm happy to give time and money to causes like this, long may it continue.
Sass, Somerset Well I spent the night working on the donation line - having been semi dragged into helping by a friend of mine. I was incredibly glad she did do so - we only meant to stay till 10pm, but were still going when our call centre ran out of forms at 1.30am. It was a brilliant and humbling experience. People donated what they could from a few pounds to a thousand plus and the atmosphere was great. Completely different from my day job, but my way of helping Comic Relief - I could donate little so was glad to help where I could.
Roz, Bradford, UK
We sponsored our good mate Emma to dress as Barbie for a full day of college. She raised over �120 - well done girly :D
Becca, Birmingham
Just donated - if I have to go without a few pints because a day which reminds us all how lucky we are and how unfortunate some are asks me to then that's fine. We all have a responsibility since it is in no small part the imposition of a particular Western brand of economic capitalism on many nations which has left them playing catch-up.
Evan, Edinburgh
| People giving what they could afford |
I was on the donation line last night and was completely humbled by all those who pledged, from a few pounds to a few hundred. The amount didn't matter, it was people giving what they could afford. To all those humbugs out there, I'm sorry you will never know the pleasure of speaking to every single fantastic person who phoned us last night.
Stuart, Cleethorpes, UK Two 6 year olds from West Derby Liverpool, Rosa and Scarlett made and sold red nose cakes and raised �40 for Red Nose Day. It was very cold and windy but we didn't mind because we wanted to care for the children in Africa.
Rosa Harrison, Liverpool, UK
Balmoral ward at Southend Hospital have raised �306 for Comic Relief. Thanks to all staff and patients who gave so generously.
Nicky Stone, Southend, UK
Third Thorley Brownies became "Red"ies for a day and raised 10 pounds by dressing in red and playing fun games. Everyone brought bronze coins and made a big Red Nose Day face with them.
Rita Eustace, Bishop's Stortford, UK
Our college council organised a RND hair do competition where photos were taken of people with funny hair dos, and prizes were provided by local companies. I personally did the donations, and donations from the council alone accumulated to at least �120. The LEAF division sold red noses, and it was lots of fun. I had my hair dyed red and I wore a suit.
Simon Chan, Taunton, Somerset Staff and children of Little Rainbows Day Nursery wore wigs, red noses and dressed in colours of the rainbow. The children have been busy making and selling badges, selling the red noses, staff and parents having a go on the official sweepstake and finally bringing into nursery lots of pennies to make a "mile of pennies". In total we raised �191.33
Sandra Wheeler, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England
It's 3am and we've just got in from "work"! The contact centre where we work for Jobcentre Plus, was open to take pledges from 7pm until 2am taking in excess of �150,000. It was a great evening and a pleasure to be involved in such a good cause. Congratulations to all the organisers, you did a fantastic job!
Helen and Iain, Telford, Shropshire
I dressed as Elvis and sang loudly at the unsuspecting public in Bath, making over 500 pounds over the day! Me and many other members of university rags raised tens of thousands in street collections and silly stunts across the country.
Huseyin, Bath, UK
Can't believe some people on here are moaning about Red Nose Day... My kids were up early this morning for red hair colour and no uniform at school. Great stuff. Raising money for charity and a bit of fun as well. Long may it continue.
John, London, UK
| I'm literally the office joker and have already placed a whoopi cushion under the boss's chair |
I'm literally the office joker and have already placed a whoopi cushion under the boss's chair. He didn't look best pleased, but had to grin and bear it, whilst handing over a �1 to the swear box.
Jon Murtagh, Lincoln, UK
In my office we are having office e-mail bingo, a football tournament, a team quiz, office Olympics and numerous other fundraising events in addition to dressing up. It's one day of the year when raising money for charity also really raises a smile (even a giggle at the sight of your colleagues in a red wig, t-shirt and nose).
Rowan, Livingston, Scotland
I work for Royal Mail and they are allowing me to dress up as Elvis,(white cat suit, wig, glasses, etc). I will be delivering the mail on a stretch of Chiswick High Road.
Vinny O'Connor, Chiswick, London W4
After my shift at work I will be joining many colleagues from the call centre I work at in Durham. We will be taking the pledges from viewers of Comic Relief - we are all volunteering until 2am so dig deep!!!
Julie, Tyne & Wear
I've foolishly agreed to have my hair shaved off completely in my office, in front of all my colleagues. A qualified hairdresser has agreed to come and do it. I've managed to raise �300 in sponsorship money from friends and colleagues. I don't normally wear my hair short, let alone none at all!
Dominique Guyot, Bristol, UK Red Nose Day is a fantastic day! It puts all problems into perspective, when you see the courage and bravery of people who go through so much with so little. I do not understand how people cannot donate to such a deserving cause.
Naomi Sharman, Leeds
Most people at our work are not bothering to participate in our dressing up day but there's a few red-haired people with their clothes on back to front, one person in pyjamas and a few red noses around.
David Hilton, Hudds, UK
When I hear some of the comments on these pages, I feel ashamed to be British (and I'm a very patriotic person). I've just donated �100 on your behalf to make up for the moaning.
Davu, buck
I will be doing absolutely nothing, and refusing to pay for our dress-down day at work. I will decide when I am going to donate to charity, and no-one is going to get money out of me any other way. In fact, events like red nose day just force me to tighten the purse strings even more!
Andy, Leeds, UK
I have just finished reading the comments on this website and can't believe that there are people in this country that don't care or are just not interested. My son is eight-years-old and has given his pocket money this week to Red Nose Day.
Ian Child, Orpington, Kent
All my work colleagues are dressed in red, buying wonderful home-made cakes, contributing financially. In a very busy environment people are much more smiley and relaxed. It does wonders for team working too!
Jan, Brighton
As it's Red Nose Day I've taken the day off work, as I do every Red Nose or Children In Need Day. Why? Because I refuse to pay �1 for a piddly slice of cake and being made to feel guilty if I don't buy a piece. Red nose day is lame... It's cringe worthy and embarrassing.
Gemma, Surrey
| We're just too busy, too stressed, to find time. |
I work in a large London office, there is no indication whatsoever that this is Red Nose Day. Nothing is red, nobody has dressed up, there are no special cakes and no collection box of any kind. It's not because anyone has banned it, it's never been mentioned. We're all too busy doing our work... We're just too busy, too stressed, to find time.
Anon, London, England Nothing. I fear that every time the nation gives to charity Mr Brown takes note, then he knows how much he can squeeze out of us with stealth taxes.
Robert, London, UK
I cannot believe the attitude of most of the people on here! I agree that we need to think long term about poverty, which is why I give so much a month to Christian Aid. But most people don't give regularly. Comic Relief raises millions every year, of course that does some good!
Caroline, Oldham
If these comments really do reflect the balance of public opinion, they paint a pretty depressing picture of British attitudes. Like many people, I make regular donations to good causes and don't usually give to TV appeals but after reading this, I am going to be making a donation just to distance myself from all of this bitter mean-spiritedness.
Catherine O, Maidenhead, UK
Our school is very charity minded, we have kids and staff in all red, male staff in drag, sponsored walkers, dancers and silences... you name it! It's a festival for a good cause!
Vicki, London
Here in the cosmetics team at Boots HQ, the fellas in the team have agreed to a 'make-over' if us girls raise �100 (well on our way). Lipsticks, blush and nail polish at the ready!
Lisa, Notts, England
Well I'm sitting typing this at work in my pyjamas. I am the Charity Co-ordinator at my work and we always get so much from our colleagues! I think that if we have things and other people don't then we should help them out. Red Nose Day doesn't come every year, so give as much as you can that's what I say.
Sara, Aberdeen, Scotland
We have gone mad at work this year. While most of us can't get away with wearing daft costumes, we are wearing red, but there are some cross-dressers kicking about, a bake-off, mad hair, mad clothes and everyone is giving their hard earned money with a really big smile on their faces. Even the "boring" ones have been persuaded to join in! Long live Red Nose Day!
Claire, Chesterfield, UK
At Trent College in Long Eaton my boarding house are doing a sponsored Hymnathon. We are receiving sponsorship to see how many hymns we can sing in an hour. So far it looks as though we get around �250 for comic relief.
Benedict Taylor, Long Eaton, UK Ignoring it. This charity fest supports causes that are, in my opinion, not worthy Target your giving and make sure it goes where its needed.
Freddy, UK
How can these people who claim to be 'charited out' sleep at night? I believe if you cannot put your hands in your pockets a couple of times a year in order to give to people less fortunate than your selves, then you live in a very cynical and selfish world. Most of us in the UK are privileged to lead comfortable lives, If you cannot be bothered to support those who have the tenacity and courage to say "No this is not right, we can do something to help these people" then shame on you.
Danny - Yorkshire, Goole UK
I have baked some Red Nose biscuits, and am selling them for a minimum of 20p each, but hoping that people will donate more.
Gina Saunders, Oxford, UK
I'm doing "sponsor a pigtail" at work! For every donation of 50p I get from a colleague, I put an extra pigtail in my hair. Unfortunately it's going down so well that my arms are aching, but it's worth it to fill my little collecting box.
Sarah B, York, UK
I give by direct debit to 3 smaller charities every month (for the last 5 years) so I am no scrooge. However, I find my self unimpressed and unmoved by the emotional blackmail tactics used on TV. I also deplore the idealistic 'making poverty history' claims (it ain't gonna happen far to pie in the sky!) I will not watch the ego fest that is comic relief; I am tired of seeing talent less publicity seeking so called 'celebs' embarrassing attempts to "entertain". If they really cared, they just donate and save us the embarrassment. I would rather give my hard earned cash to help charities of my choice in this country.
Meg, Grantham Lincs
Sorry, has Victor Meldrew hijacked this forum as a fundraising gag? - That's the impression I'm getting from all the whingeing and self-righteous comments on here! But no, unfortunately the comments are genuine, and very disappointing. I for one will be donating tonight and enjoying the entertainment, which hopefully will restore my faith. Long live Comic Relief!
Mary, Gloucester, UK
We are having a Comic Relief bacon and sausage bap day (with red sauce), we are wearing something red and for the afternoon we have strawberries and cream, mmmm. The diet starts Monday, after all it's for charity!
Elizabeth Knight, Burgess Hill, UK In our fish and chip shop we've all contributed in wearing the red nose day T-shirts, spraying our hair red and going wild on the make up. We all look so funny away from the boring uniform we all usually wear.
Maria, Kidderminster, UK
The Staff at British Gas in Leeds are taking phone pledges this evening until midnight.
Stacey Kerrigan, Leeds, UK
Sprayed my three children's' hair red, spiked my hair and sprayed it red, bought them a red nose each, put money in the bucket at my sons school, think I've done my bit for Comic Relief.
Al, Milton Keynes, UK
Our college (SFX College, Clapham) are doing a variety of events (which have been happening this week) held by our Student Council, this includes dressing up in your old school uniform, competitions and selling fair trade products, including drinks and food, they will also be selling the white wrists bands to promote Making Poverty History. Our college is hoping that we as a college community will raise lots of money for a great cause!
Mel, London
| I don't think it really hurts to donate something to the day, but respect others wishes not to. |
We are having a raffle with donated gifts (mostly alcohol!) from staff, we have the Red Nose Scratch and Match and are selling cakes, etc which people kindly brought in. We also have staff with red hair and one with not so much hair, so big red dots on his head! I don't think it really hurts to donate something to the day, but respect others wishes not to.
Alison, Dundee We raised �250 last week holding a cake sale in the biological sciences department at the university of Liverpool. Everyone was so generous, with some people paying up to �10 for 1 cake!
The microbiology department, Liverpool, UK
After a hectic morning of red hair dyes, face paint and frantic scrabbling for red clothes - I've taken the children to school (non-uniform day, with lots of stalls to raise more money), with a pocket full of change each and will now spend the day cleaning the house, so that tonight I can settle down with the family and watch some entertainment on TV! I will probably end up crying my eyes out - and donating more money than I can afford - but hey! That's what Comic Relief is all about!
JB, Essex
I'm going to my uni lectures dressed as a giant bumblebee
Iona Knight, Exeter, Devon
It's all very well to say that you give to a charity of your choice but the fact is that an event like Red Nose Day mobilizes a lot of people to actually do something to raise cash and also awareness. People can raise a lot of money at planned events and along with the noses, car accessories, stickers, ring tones, etc a huge amount is generated for the charities in question. I'm not really the sort of person who would put myself out there doing something "wacky" either but I can see why it's a good thing that a lot of people do and I certainly wouldn't begrudge them my cash.
Ann, Scotland
| Message to the celebrities involved - keep up the good work |
All the kids in our primary school brought �1 in today for the privilege of dressing up and having red hair. They are also doing a talent show this afternoon. My daughter Bryony and her friend Conor are doing a sponsored silence tomorrow. All the proceeds will go to Red Nose Day. All great fun ways to raise money for a great cause. Message to the celebrities involved - keep up the good work!
Nyree Dick, Coaltown of Balgonie, Fife Dressed up as fairy.
Liz Wood, Reading
I think the red noses are brilliant, but the sheer amount of TV coverage is rather OTT in my opinion. My place of work isn't doing anything for Comic Relief. I work in the reception so have stuck my red nose on top of my monitor to brighten things up. It was my birthday yesterday so tonight I shall be celebrating that by going out for a meal with friends.
Helen, Southampton, UK
What will I be doing? Looking for a red nose! Why on earth only restrict selling them to Sainsbury and Oxfam - then allow them to sell out in South Wales? Why not treat them like poppies and sell everywhere? Okay - rant over - but if it wasn't for the good will of an old friend, my 6-year-old lad would have felt very left out in school today - as others no doubt will. Please fix it next year.
Tony, Wales
Well I beeped my horn at Aled from the Chris Moyles Red Nose Rally this morning in Plymouth. And our little office raised �50 with the sweepstake and an Easter egg raffle.
Linda, Mandy, Carol, PJ and the rest of the girls at Serpells, Plymouth
I can't believe some of the miserable, selfish people on here! Talk about Victor Meldrow. Come on you skin flints! I work at Yell and not only are we opening as a call centre to take pledges but the whole office has joined in with raffles, cake competitions, dress down and various other activities.
Kelly, Reading
We have had a dress down day at �1 for each person, we have home made cakes for sale and we have a member of our male management dressed up as a lady for the day going round collecting money in his handbag, plus he is being sponsored to be dressed as a woman (complete with bright red wig)!
Carol Guy, Salford, UK
| We are having a red food and red wine (French of course) party |
Mary and I have just had some fun selling Red Nose Fairy cakes to our French colleagues and raised 200�. Tonight we are having a red food and red wine (French of course) party.
Joanne, Toulouse, France Come to work on the train from Wimbledon to Sunbury dressed as Shrek and walk around the office all day - I'm freezing.
Nick Del-Borrello, London
I shall be performing my "death defying feat" of standing on my head whilst playing "God Save the Queen" on the harmonica!!!
Paul, Farnham, UK
A member of staff was painted completely red from top to toe.
Evan Evans, Telford, Shropshire
I am the office chocoholic and my colleagues at My Weekly magazine sponsored me to give up chocolate for the month of February. We raised �157.80.
Sally Hampton, Dundee, UK
I will be with the Rotary Club of Marlow Thames, collecting a 'toll' from cars crossing the Thames over Marlow bridge, as we have done before. The traffic is at walking pace anyway during rush-hour, so we don't delay anyone, and the great majority of people seem happy to have the chance to take part, and give cheerfully and generously.
Michael Cutler, Marlow, Bucks
I work at Anglia Polytechnic University as an administrator. In our office Tony is singing everything he says! I am dressed as Pocahontas, Janice is in her husband's pyjamas and fluffy bunny slippers, we have beautiful homemade Welsh cakes, sponge cakes and fairy cakes for sale, Martin is dressed in his Scout uniform carrying the South African flag to remind us what it's all for!! Thanks Comic Relief Team - thanks for laughter and compassion - great combination!
Steph Dodwell, Chelmsford I'm sitting at my desk wearing a blonde wig (collecting around �25 in sponsorship money) and my colleagues have baked and baked yummy buns that we're selling!! Good fun
Katrina Law, Leeds, England
Our office is having a raffle and boss has donated the first prize. A free day off.... Keep your fingers crossed for me!
Amanda, Norfolk
I won't be watching the broadcast as it is wretched. But I will be in the pub for the duration, pouring ale into myself in an attempt to produce my own red nose day.
Francis, London, UK
| I will completing a sponsored pogo stick race |
I fully support Red Nose Day and today I will completing a sponsored pogo stick race to the top of Tower 42!!.
Becks, London We have dressed up one of our reporters at the Wiltshire Times in red nose kit. I think it is vital for local newspapers to get in the mood and encourage the thousands of people who are making an effort to raise money for such a worthwhile cause.
Craig Evry, Trowbridge, UK
We're a small elite company of structural and civil engineers with BIG hearts and the boss suggested we come in school uniform. We're off to Harry's restaurant at lunchtime for school dinners! Our pea shooters and catapults have been confiscated.....
Jo Richardson, Hove
We are doing a sponsored climb in June. Today however if we make �100 plus I will run around the office wearing a dress/miniskirt!!
Graeme Ellis, Warwick
Today we are all dressed in red and are holding an afternoon tea of cucumber sandwiches and cakes for our colleagues. �2.50 each to attend, so social too. Lots of takers.
Sarah K, Cambridge
Dressed as a Sunderland footballer for the day, complete with flatcap and NE accent. My legs have attracted comment and the quality of my accent has varied. I'm from Hants, but have NE blood and got my degree up there. Sponsorship going well.
Stu Maddison, West London As someone who's been involved in charity fundraising and voluntary work for years I've read the other comments with a mixture of horror and anger. Let's just remember that the key thing about charitably fundraising is that you give freely and willingly. There's no "feel guilty" about most of the collectors out there. They're doing something positive and you're just being asked to support that. As for the "self-serving actor" rubbish. Do me a favour wake up to yourselves. Sure there are a couple like that but the majority do it because they're in a position to do something positive. I've seen that commitment up close and personal.
Martin, Sheffield, UK
I have been wearing my red nose all day in work. I walked around the office and the restaurant and I have already collected over 100 pounds.
Lisa Tough, The Hague, The Netherlands
I was "dared" to wear a kilt for the day. My employer Rolls-Royce will match anything I raise up to �150.
Rob Walker, Bristol South Glous
We're sponsoring our mate Alistair to roll around the office - so far we've raised �100!
Duncan Weldon, London
Mark Elster, Clinical Governance Co-ordinator, for Maldon and South Chelmsford PCT dressed up today as Emily, from Little Britain! Mark has managed to collect �110 so far. Well Done Mark.
John Collins, Maldon, England
We have been selling cakes, doing the sweepstake, added a 50p red nose delivery tax to the Friday morning breakfast cob run and are about to do Russian Roulette with 12 cakes, one with Parprika and Ginger in it...
Ian, Loughborough, UK
| We did the Red Nose Day sweepstake! |
In our office, we are having a dress down with a hint of Red Nose Day. I have made choccie buns and truffles for people to donate to eat and we did the Red Nose Day sweepstake!
Leanne, Cornwall I have been wearing my red nose all day in work. I walked around the office and the restaurant and I have already collected over 100 pounds.
Lisa Tough, The Hague, The Netherlands
I was "dared" to wear a kilt for the day. My employer Rolls-Royce will match anything I raise up to �150.
Rob Walker, Bristol South Glous
We're sponsoring our mate Alistair to roll around the office - so far we've raised �100!
Duncan Weldon, London
Dressed as a Sunderland footballer for the day, complete with flatcap and NE accent. My legs have attracted comment and the quality of my accent has varied. I'm from Hants, but have NE blood and got my degree up there. Sponsorship going well.
Stu Maddison, West London
As someone who's been involved in charity fundraising and voluntary work for years I've read the other comments with a mixture of horror and anger. Let's just remember that the key thing about charitably fundraising is that you give freely and willingly. There's no "feel guilty" about most of the collectors out there. They're doing something positive and you're just being asked to support that. As for the "self-serving actor" rubbish. Do me a favour wake up to yourselves. Sure there are a couple like that but the majority do it because they're in a position to do something positive. I've seen that commitment up close and personal.
Martin, Sheffield, UK
Mark Elster, Clinical Governance Co-ordinator, for Maldon and South Chelmsford PCT dressed up today as Emily, from Little Britain! Mark has managed to collect �110 so far. Well Done Mark.
John Collins, Maldon, England
We have been selling cakes, doing the sweepstake, added a 50p red nose delivery tax to the Friday morning breakfast cob run and are about to do Russian Roulette with 12 cakes, one with Parprika and Ginger in it...
Ian, Loughborough, UK
In our office, we are having a dress down with a hint of Red Nose Day. I have made choccie buns and truffles for people to donate to eat and we did the Red Nose Day sweepstake!
Leanne, Cornwall
I work for the local government and all 900 people in the building have been giving me money for Comic Relief. It's a real good fun atmosphere in here today and I reckon we will break �1000 by next week!!
Hayley Burgess, Dorchester, Dorset We are donating the fares from one tram to Comic Relief - which could be up to �5,000! The chosen tram will be decorated with posters highlighting it as the 'Red Nose Day tram'.
Nottingham's Trams, Nottingham, UK
The staff at Highways Agency office in Birmingham are seeing red and losing their heads!! Several sponsored events include dressing as a clown, shaving HALF of a beard off and having a very dodgy red mullet-do!! Also tea and cake sales have been arranged for this lunchtime and most people are wearing red items of clothing and donating a �1 to support Comic Relief.
Laura, Birmingham
We here at BT Parkside in Coventry are preparing to man some of the donation lines for tonight's pledges...wish us luck.
Sarah's team, Coventry, UK
At 11 o'clock on Friday 11th we just waxed 11 legs from 6 volunteers. They were all men and screamed like babies.
Sarah Lewendon, Basingstoke
A colleague has dressed as Little Britain's Emily Howard - and he looks a bit like a lady! He looks great sitting in an open plan office.
Dave Love, Kesgrave, England I shall be watching it and lending it my moral support. I've bought the Little Britain DVD and that's it. I think it's more important that people take the opportunity to contribute regularly to a charity or two throughout the year rather than give sporadically. Set up a direct debit to a charity for as little as a couple of pounds a month and everyone wins. You feel good, the charity gets the money it needs. The only drawback is that there would be no need for shows like tonight's Comic Relief!
Mo C, UK
Today we're holding a raffle with prizes donated by the bosses; dressing down in denim and red (quite brave for a solicitors' office!) and having an auction for a fast boat trip. We'll probably only raise about �300 but every penny helps. Bearing in mind that people have given generously to the Tsunami appeal, we'll be happy about any amount we raise.
Sue, Southampton, UK
To those who rattle their tins and dress in ridiculous costumes and try to make me feel guilty for not joining in the "fun": you've no idea whether I give up my evenings and weekends to work in a homeless shelter; you don't know that I'm not an activist for Amnesty International; you haven't a clue what charities I support with tax-efficient, gift-aided standing orders. This may be one day for you, but please don't judge everyone by your standards and assume the stony-faced people who are avoiding you are uncharitable. Some of them are just fed up with the patronising and accusing judgements.
Anon
I was on a Tall Ships Youth Trust square rig sailing ship (Stavros S Niarchos) in the Canaries last week and I climbed to the top of the 45 metre mast to raise money for Comic Relief. I have raised over �750 so far from sponsors where I work - Boden - and from fellow crew members on the ship.
Pete Lemon, Great Hampden, UK
I am being sponsored to be silent in the office all day! It's going to be a tough job with the crazy crew I work with!!
Robert, London
The Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Scout Network will be joining other Scouts from the Area to virtually row, run and cycle the distance from Cardiff to London between 16:30 - 18:30 today outside Debenhams in St David's Arcade, Cardiff. Please come and support us if you are in the City Centre.
Gareth, Cardiff, Wales
| I will be manning the donation lines for the night |
As I work for one of the big companies that are allegedly hijacking Comic Relief to boost sales I will be manning the donation lines for the night.
Dan Tremain, Bromley I am amazed that some people are writing in saying that they are 'charitied out'. I agree that we can't all keep giving to all the good causes out there, but that doesn't mean we have to lose our compassion for those less fortunate both at home and abroad. For the sake of �1 for a red nose (whether you wear it or not) you can add that little drop to the ocean. If everyone in the UK bought a �1 red nose - it would raise �55 million - and that would go a very, very long way...
Clare, Scotland
A couple of teams from within our youth football club staged an RND benefit match last weekend and raised �78. We hope to top that up towards the end of the month when we are staging a second benefit game for the Red Nose cause.
Chris Cox, Fawley Falcons Youth F.C, Southampton, UK
The snide and selfish attitudes expressed by many here will be enough to make me take part.
Peter, Birmingham
| So far we have raised over �200 |
My company is having a dress down day. So far we have raised over �200. I cannot believe some of these comments. I would like to think that if the table was turned, Africa would help us out. I realise that people have probably given to the Tsunami appeal, but Africa still needs our help, as do the hundreds of charities in the UK who benefit. Stop being such kill joys!!
Jo, Birmingham Red clothes, red lipstick, red hair - cakes, quizzes and fun!
Fiona, Tina, Cath, Jill and Louise, Dundee, UK
Severn Trent telephone room girls have brought jelly beans, put them into a pot and the other employees have to guess how many to win a bottle of bubbly. We are also doing the sweepstake, of course wearing red noses and red hair.
Mel Halligan, Birmingham, England
Well what happened to good old fashioned humour? I turned up for work in a spacesuit for Red Nose Day, only to be told by my boss to 'sort myself out'. It's no wonder so many people have stress related sick days.
Tony, Derby
4 of us are wearing wigs and generally having a laugh.
Julie, Glasgow, Scotland
I've got the red gel in my hair, face paint on my face and my red nose hanging round my neck - and a big Comic Relief bucket by my desk for donations!
Anj, Reading
In HBOS Financial Services in Leeds we have a tombola, cake stall, Red Nose Cake Raffle (I've made a cake that looks like a nose!) and quiz sheets, plus fining anyone not wearing red!
Jane Robson, Leeds, England
Making cakes, Red Nose Day sweepstake, and dressing up all red. Hope to give everyone a laugh or a stomach cramp after eating my cakes. Anyway, hope to add my small collection to the larger pot! Happy Red Nose Day.
Hannah, Bedfordshire
Coming from the States, where the most organised charity appeal is the rather pathetic Jerry Lewis telethon, Red Nose Day is a real treat and a great way to get people involved in giving to those less fortunate. My daughter's school has a full day of activities planned and I've sent her off with a sack of pound coins to give away. As for me, I'll hitch my red nose to my bike basket and later this evening, tune into Fame Academy.
Lisa, Cambridge
| Hopefully we can do our bit |
The vets and nurses at the Broadway Vet Hospital are wearing pyjamas and dressing gowns for the day - and it's cold. Hopefully we can do our bit, we have our mascot Molly the terrier here as well.
Sandy, Cambridgeshire My son's school is getting them all to come in dressed in something red, and he's got a mad 'barnett' for the day too. He's been so excited about wearing this all week, I thought we'd never get to Friday! Fair play to the headmaster, he's always up for anything which helps the children to get a perspective on the real world, and let's face it the world is bonkers!
Eoin, Cornwall, UK
Please try to sell red noses etc through more outlets next time. We do not have a Sainsbury or Oxfam shop locally and when I tried to buy goods over the net they were all sold out.
Sue Sorrell, Blackburn, England
Our office for the first time ever celebrated Red Nose Day and the girls made rolls and bacon and rolls and sausage - total �80. Not bad for a small office.
Lisa, UK
I am sporting a ridiculously red hairstyle at work today and charging people for singing them a song. So far we've raised over �60. Whooppee!
Alison, Broadstairs, UK
Myself and my colleagues are taking phone pledges until midnight.
Mark, Leeds, UK
Some people's attitudes stink! Especially those who claim we shouldn't give money abroad. They're human too! And besides, money goes to the UK too - get your facts right before posting!
Ross, Halesowen, UK
Two of my work colleagues - Nicola and Alex have cooked us all sausage and bacon sandwiches for breakfast and are doing the same for lunch! We are all donating generously!
Sophie Cope, Godalming, Surrey
Our colleague Bob Gould is having his beard shaved off after 20 years and has raised �450.
Sheila Evans, Sevenoaks, Kent, UK
What an absolute joy it was in our house this morning, as my two sons, aged 4 and 11, got ready for school / nursery, with their red hair spray, red clothes and red noses, having such fun but thinking of others. Yes we do have a lot of charities looking for our support, but isn't this a fun way of helping others. Go on dye your hair, have a laugh, at least we in this country are free to do these things if we wish.
Lesley Smart, Carluke, Scotland I bought the Little Britain DVD and have donated some money for cakes that someone's kindly brought in!
Paul, Milton Keynes
We're doing hair spraying, head shaving, and running a mega raffle with prizes including: win a mini for a week. Nottingham Panthers players coming down at 1pm.
The Cornerhouse in Nottingham, Nottingham, England
| It's one day of the year that we should all support |
I cannot believe the attitude of some people. It may be a little bit wacky but it's one day of the year that we should all support, from our nice warm homes.
Martin, Brighton, UK Comic Relief would be great if only my school would allow us to do something. We are not allowed to dye our hair red or put face paint on or even wear non-uniform.
Louisa, Reading, UK
For me, Comic Relief has been hijacked by big retail companies who are more interested in boosting sales than donating to charities, and if the TV coverage follows the style of recent years it will be 80% embarrassing, 10% guilt and 10% watchable entertainment.
Jon Dalladay, London, UK
Holding the 'Great Red Nose Bake-off'. Talented colleagues bake cakes and every one pays �1 to eat them and vote on the best. A great excuse to eat cake on a Friday afternoon.
Kirsten, Glasgow
I've bought the Little Britain DVD and that's it. I'm fed up of Red Nose Day and Children In Need and their ilk. I give to various charities on a regular basis. I don't need what is essentially lazy television scheduling to try to persuade me to give more.
Ian, Leeds
| I will be aggressively rattling a tin, while wearing a funny costume |
I will be aggressively rattling a tin, while wearing a funny costume and trying to make miserable old scrooges realise that living in one of the richest countries in the world carries responsibilities to ones fellow man. Oh, and making people feel guilty too.
RS, Glasgow UK How much do we need to donate to keep Ruby Wax and Robbie Williams off our TVs?
Philippe, London, UK
Colouring my hair red, putting on a nose and a big smile and waiting for Little Britain's Comic Relief special!
Christine, UK
While people may be tired of Red Nose Day (and I am too, in fact I was never into it when it first came out), I am dismayed at some of the comments here. I may not like Red Nose Day, but I do enjoy giving and helping out groups and charities of my choice, I am certainly not all charitied out. The voluntary sector makes a massive difference to peoples lives locally, nationally and internationally and these hard working charities need out support. If all charities were to disappear tomorrow we would soon know about it and the world would be much worse place. It's very easy to moan about giving from the comfort of your own laptop, having had the luck to be born in the West. Some people at my university are selling cookies for Red Nose Day tomorrow, I will buy some of those and offload my small change to anyone with a collection box, it all helps. I am glad that at least some people here are going all out in their fund raising efforts and wish them all the best, it's good to see some charity and community spirit exists around here.
Amy, Colchester
They should do what they did the other year. Every hour they picked someone who donated on the phone and they won VIP tickets to a football match. I feel more people would give if they felt they had a chance of winning something.
Chris h, Lincoln
I'm doing nothing. I think there are so many fund raising events that it takes the fun out of it. Children in Need should give it a rest for a few years. It's not that I'm not a giving person, I give money to the odd charity now and then. There should be a RNLI day that is a charity that really needs the public donations.
Alex Young, Grantham, Lincs We have finally managed to persuade our school to have a non uniform day, and several people are shaving their hair off. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any red noses around where I live, otherwise I'd buy one.
Emily, Cumbria, UK
What am I doing? Absolutely nothing. I have charity fatigue and resent other people trying to make me feel guilty for not joining in days and days of begging by tin-rattlers, topped off by hours of unfunny 'comedy' sketches. If I want to give to charity, I will. In my own time and not because it is PC to do so. I hesitate to mention this as discretion is the better part of valour, but I do voluntary work, I just don't feel the need to advertise the details of my deeds (or donations) on television.
Nichola Feeney, Dundee, Scotland
I have decided to boycott Comic Relief this year and donate my money to other charities instead. It was not a decision I made lightly, but the fact that this year's theme is the same as last year's, and the general coverage, has persuaded me that all anyone cares about anymore is celebrities mucking around in funny hairdos. Actually helping the disadvantaged seems like some sort of side issue.
R Potter, Cambridge, UK
| This time Red Nose will get nothing from me |
With so many charities chasing donation's, is it little wonder that sooner or later we will all get charity fatigue. So this time Red Nose will get nothing from me.
Bumble, Dartford, UK I will be out celebrating my birthday - probably wearing nothing but a hairy red nose!
Rachel, Ipswich, UK
Anyone see the episode of the Office where they have red nose day? I am with Tim - work's idea of "wackiness" doesn't really do it for me, but I will donate.
Fraser, Essex, England
I will give some money and then go out instead of watching self-publicising celebrities prance about on TV. It seems a coincidence to me that they're so happy to give up their time when they have a book/musical/TV show to promote.
Julie, Brighton, England
| When you've enjoyed the show do some homework into how to help to solve the problems in the long term |
I'll be writing to my MP demanding that Gordon Brown keeps to his commitments to long term aid for the Third World. Sorry to be a misery but Comic Relief money is a drop in the ocean and I find something obscene in multi-million salaried celebrities showing footage of starving children whilst being happy and nice and we all feel guilty, give some cash, pat ourselves on the back and feel like generally nice folk. Please people, when you've enjoyed the show do some homework into how to help to solve the problems in the long term - Comic Relief will solve them for a fraction of the sufferers for a day.
Paul, London Ignoring it completely. I give to the charities of my choice, not the charities I'm told to give to by celebrities who "give their time for free" (read: gain some free self-publicity and tell me to open my wallet without opening their own)
John B, UK
Money from appeals like this is sent to these people in order to help themselves (The presenters take great pains in telling us that all they want is to help themselves). The question is "why are these people still in need of such help after 20 years of Red Nose Day?". If this is all they want, I find it hard to believe that it would take 20 years. I heard Billy Connolly try to shame us into believing that "compassion fatigue" is a myth, but after 20 years of donating and seeing no change in their situation, it is indeed a very real thing!
Paul, Nottingham, UK
Nothing. It is well past its sell by date, and the sooner it is put out of its misery the better. Red Nose Day has become just another commercial rip-off.
William Read, Stafford, Staffordshire Maybe I'm selfish, but I don't see the point in donating money abroad when we have our own problems to deal with, such as homelessness on our streets. This has been going on for 20 years yet the same problems still exist abroad, I don't think throwing some cash at them every year will ever solve it.
Ed, Ayrshire
I have already done my bit by donating. On the night I will be avoiding the TV screen at all costs. The very thought of watching more than two minutes of 'comedians' Lenny Henry, Liza Tarbuck and Dawn French brings me out in hives.
Leon, Brighouse, UK
Will the public dig deep again? Maybe the tsunami appeal has taken the country's generosity! come on people Africa needs aid too!
Dean Chambers, Castleford, UK
The same as every year - buying a bottle of wine and watching films. Whilst I support charity, I want to choose those I support and do not want it rammed down my throat.
Carolyn, England
Sorry, but I'm all charity'd out and won't watching or donating this year.
J, Oxford
| It has created a real buzz around the office |
We have managed to persuade our very staid company to allow us to have a fancy dress fun day. We are having a fete theme with tombola stall, name the elephant, raffle, guess the babies plus prizes for the best and worst outfits. Staff are also doing their own little bits - ie two ladies are dressing as saloon girls and if they raise fifty pounds by 1pm they will go to Tesco's in their outfits to buy their lunch! It has created a real buzz around the office and has been the only topic of conversation all day. We can't wait!!!
Kiltie, Staffs, UK I won't be doing anything for Red Nose Day as my work is relocating the following day and we have to pack away last minute things and help the removal men. As for watching it, I find it the most pointless 6/7 hours and would rather be playing board games. Charity does not need blanket TV coverage. By the way I have donated �10 to Comic Relief.
Helen, Leeds
What will I be doing? Doing my best to avoid aggressive tin-rattlers dressed in ridiculous costumes who will be doing their best to make me feel guilty, and failing miserably.
Trevor, Cambs, UK
Our office is going all out for Red Nose Day, from sponsoring members of staff to dress up as cartoon characters to spot the red hairdo on our intranet. Not everyone is taking an active part, but everyone is giving something. If everyone was a moany old skinflint like Trevor there wouldn't be anyone left alive in third world countries! Cheer up it's for a good cause!
Kelly, Edinburgh, Scotland
Absolutely nothing apart from trying to avoid the irritating tin shakers on my way home in the evening. I give to the charities I choose to, not the ones that have big enough budgets to try and guilt trip people into giving them money with footage of starving orphans.
Seonaid, Edinburgh
One-Minute World News 
News services
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 