Comic Relief Fundraising 2026
In the dim and distant past of 1985, a new charity, Comic Relief, was born. Extolling the virtues and healing effect of humour I was hooked. I collected on that first Red Nose Day and have done so ever since. For 41 years I’ve watched that new-born grow to the institution it is today.
From baby steps with single donations, my fundraising too grew through the years. Retiring helped me expand. My donations have been gathered from organising events at local establishments. Since then, both those attending (many returnees) and the amounts collected have increased. A little red book has kept records of venues with names and contact details of managers who’d allowed me space at their premises.
At first I thought of myself as a cog in the RND fundraising wheel. Thrilled in 1995 to receive a certificate thanking me for my efforts, I felt more important. Certificates did wonders for my confidence.
Since Comic Relief started providing downloads of thank you posters, I’ve completed one for each subsequent year’s efforts. Showing the amounts collected, these are now proudly displayed at home.
Last year was fabulous. Not only did I beat previous collections, I also received the Comic Relief Nosey Solo Superstar award. I bawled my eyes out when I received the email telling me I’d won, then again when the actual heavy glass engraved disk arrived accompanied by another certificate. I’ve deleted pics where my snuffly nose and streaming, red eyes made me look anything but happy. The only ones I’ve kept were taken after I realised I’d won something on merit. I may not look overjoyed in them but inside I was fizzling.
I try to start organising events when I knew of the next Red Nose Day date. However, in 2026 a family bereavement at the same time as a scary eye problem needing several A&E and consultant ophthalmologist visits, were unavoidable delays. Although I managed to get the arrangements done, I found it more difficult.
I followed my usual start by following up suggested new venues and contacting previous ones. After agreeing bookings, dates and times I help each place advertise their event by producing posters and time sheets for possible advance bookings. I ended up with 10 different locations this year.
Having taught computer applications, preparing publicity is always easy. Several organisations were OK with having their’s by email this year, but some places wanted printed copies delivered. Although I’m happy to do this, it’s tiring.
Comic Relief used to send out printed fundraising packs which included collection boxes and sweepstake sheets where the winning picture was found by checking online. Both of these were helpful but a couple of years ago the latter were omitted, so I doctored a couple of their last ones. With the same pricing structure full sheets are worth £60 which the winner and the charity share.
This year, as always when getting ready for sessions, I donned a Comic Relief t-shirt, put on my belt with its adapted buckle and inserted my special Red Nose Day earrings. I also printed donation sheets so cash payments could be listed separately and Gift Aid collected. A new addition was a Lucky Dip where I’d wrapped tiny gifts and hidden them in packaging peanuts then charged £1 for people to win a prize every time.
Several 2026 sessions were at repeat locations where the best places for me to set up have been worked out. I love these as I’ve got friendly with the staff and some regulars. An assortment of start times from early afternoon to later in the day meant people could choose their time.
I had two new bookings this year. One was a local social club where, John, a singing and guitar playing friend, entertained club members singing karioke style with payments for choices going into the RND kitty. The helpful staff organised extra posters and a raffle. The other was at a restaurant. Here the manager listed all her customers who wanted to donate to this great cause.
It was a return visit for Red Nose Day 2026 on the 20th March. Wanting to make this session extra special, I arranged a tombola. Although starting successfully, prizes remained at the end of the evening. I took these home and gave friends and relations a chance to win them.
In 2025 I collected £1,271. That formed my JustGiving target this year as an incentive to beat it. After RND I added the cash collected to the online donations and kept my fingers crossed for my total. I’m thrilled to say I made £2,061. (If I knew of an emoji of leaping up and clicking heels I’d put it here.)
Checking online how to pay in cash, I discovered nominations were being accepted for 2026 Nosey awards. Remembering last year’s win, I’d love to do the same this year. What a finalé that would be!
To do it though, I needed nominations so contacted people on WhatsApp and Messenger. Oops. WhatsApp spam filter restricted me for a while. Although requests went out, I have to be philosophical. If I win, that’d be great but if I don’t, at least I smashed last year’s total.
Organising this year’s events has proved too much for my 81 year old body. So it’s been my final push. But before I finish I’ll prepare thank-yous for the help I’ve been given. Some will be posters others will be messages, but I’m truly grateful to everyone.