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Children and young people living in poverty across the USA and around the world are being helped thanks to the more than $23 million raised for Red Nose Day USA.
The money raised by generous Americans is being used by 12 domestic and international charities to fund programmes in literacy, education, healthcare and nutrition.
The grants have helped to serve nearly 8 million meals at foodbanks across all 50 American states and support children in 15 countries, including paying for 170,000 life-saving vaccinations across Africa.
Fabulous fundraisers donated in-store and during the NBC television special, bought products including red noses from Walgreens and raised money in their communities.
Red Nose Day, co-created by writer-director Richard Curtis, uses entertainment to raise awareness of poverty and inspire the public to have fun, raise money and change millions of lives.
Six months after the first star-studded television special, the money raised is also helping to get more than 200,000 children in the US reading and provide more than 50,000 US children and families with access to essential health care. The money is also helping to get clean water to more than 30,000 children and families across Africa.
Richard Curtis said: “I am delighted and hugely grateful to everyone who helped make Red Nose Day such a success this year – including NBC, Walgreens, M&M’S, The Gates Foundation, and of course, the wonderful US public who bought the noses and really got into the spirit of our first ever US campaign.
“It’s brilliant that all these efforts are already changing and saving the lives of children across every state in the US and internationally through our fantastic charity partners. And I love the fact that this was all done by people having fun and being funny.”
“The involvement of so many extraordinary performers first time out was a real thrill to us all. I thank and salute everyone who played a part in making this happen and really look forward to next year.”
The second annual Red Nose Day USA special will air on May 26 from 9 to 11pm ET.
Paul Telegdy, the President, of Alternative and Late Night Programming at NBC Entertainment, said: “It’s wonderful to know that so many children will benefit because of what was achieved on the inaugural Red Nose Day. I can think of nothing better than to do it again next year and continue this worthwhile and important mission.”
Scott Harrison, Chief Executive Officer at charity:water, added that access to clean water is critical to the health and wellness of children. “I’m grateful to the Red Nose Day community who raised funds to help children in our country and around the world so that they can live happy and healthy lives,” he said.
Diana Aviv, Chief Executive Officer, Feeding America said: “We are proud of the partnership that Feeding America shares with Red Nose Day to support child hunger and improve food security for people in our communities and across the nation.
“On behalf of the millions of people we serve, we thank the American public and Red Nose Day for its generous support as we work together to end hunger in the United States.”
Red Nose Day USA is run by Comic Relief Inc. which is an independent sister organization of Comic Relief UK, related through their shared vision of a just world, free from poverty; and with the same mission to effect positive change through the power of entertainment.
For more information, visit the Red Nose Day USA website www.rednoseday.org(opens in new window) and follow @RedNoseDayUS on Facebook(opens in new window), Twitter(opens in new window) and Instagram(opens in new window) using #RedNose.
