Every year Comic Relief uses celebrities to tell the story - the story of how the money you raise each Red Nose Day is spent.
It's a far cry from Albert Square to Ethiopia but that's where the actor Ross Kemp headed for a short trip - he recorded his impressions in a series of short diaries which you can hear below. Despite the poverty and disease which stalk the country, charities and other organisations - funded by Comic Relief - are beginning to make a real difference. And, as Ross discovered, people radiate an optimism and good humour. "I love Africa! I've visited South Africa, Tanzania, Sudan and Kenya so I feel like this is a working vacation." After leaving the local school where Ross felt they learnt more than he did at his school in England, Ross found out how Comic Relief is providing counselling, practical help and medical equipment to help those worst affected by HIV and Aids. "Nothing prepares you to see someone dying in this day and age. We know there are tablets and medicine to slow down their departure from this planet and there's nothing we can do about it. I think that's absolutely shocking." 3 million people in Ethiopia are infected with HIV or Aids and there are nearly a million children orphaned by the epidemic. Hard life 100,000 street children live in Ethiopia's towns and cities. They've fled poverty, abuse or illness only to discover just how hard life on the street can be. Many are orphaned as a result of Aids, some as young as two or three. Begging and prostitution are rife, as are disease and infection. In the gentle sun of an Addis morning, the actor went to see how Comic Relief money - that's money donated by you - can save these vulnerable children from the streets and their dangers. Ross met representatives from Goal - an organisation funded by the charity - which works to provide a happier future for the street children of Addis Ababa. The difference they are making is crucial to every child in the area. He also visited a night shelter - where he heard a harrowing story - and compared notes on his visit with a fellow traveller, Matt Lucas from the BBC's hit comedy Little Britain. They even managed time for a song as Ross's journey ended
If you want to support the work of Comic Relief with the street children (or a host of other projects in Africa and the UK) then please call 08457 910 910 - all calls are charged at a local rate - or by visiting the website
www.bbc.co.uk/rednoseday
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Actor Ross Kemp - formerly Eastenders hard man Grant Mitchell - visited Ethiopia to how Comic Relief money is making a difference.
