Following the tremendous fundraising success of the inaugural Red Nose Day USA, which aired on NBC in May and raised over $23 million, Comic Relief, Inc. announced that money raised is currently at work in all 50 U.S. states and in 15 countries internationally, helping to address the immediate needs of children and young people living in poverty.
Money raised came from generous Americans who bought 5 million red noses at Walgreens, purchased vendor partner products, donated in-stores and donated during the NBC television special, and fund-raised in their communities.
The Red Nose Day campaign, co-created by writer-director Richard Curtis, is built upon the idea of using entertainment, via media and celebrities, to raise awareness of poverty and inspire the public to have fun, raise money, and change millions of lives.
Six months after the star-studded television special, money raised is helping to:
• Serve nearly 8 million meals to American children at food banks in all 50 states
• Get more than 200,000 children reading in the U.S.
• Provide more than 50,000 U.S. children and families with access to essential health care
• Supply more than 170,000 life-saving vaccinations for children across Africa
• Get clean water to over 30,000 children and families across Africa
The Red Nose Day campaign raised funds for 12 domestic and international charities, including Boys & Girls Clubs of America; charity:water; Children's Health Fund; Feeding America; Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; LIFT; National Council of La Raza; National Urban League; Oxfam America; Save the Children; The Global Fund and United Way.
Said Red Nose Day’s Richard Curtis, “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 U.S. 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 U.S. 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.”
Scott Harrison, Chief Executive Officer, charity:water said, “Access to clean water is critical to the health and wellness of our 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.”
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. Red Nose Day offers a unique way for Americans to support programs that lift children and families out of poverty. Our partners truly advance our work to solve hunger in America. 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.”
The second annual Red Nose Day special will air Thursday, May 26 from 9-11 p.m. ET. Top comedy and musical performances from A-list celebrities and artists around the world will be part of the telecast. The charities benefitting from the 2016 Red Nose Day special will be announced at a later date.
