Funny and Money rhyme for a reason. OK, well maybe that’s a coincidence, but it's a happy coincidence, especially as Comic Relief 2013 rolls around for its annual Red Nose Day fundraising frenzy this Friday 15 March.
All around the nation people are gearing up to "do something funny for money" in aid of what will be Red Nose Day’s 25th birthday. Over the last quarter of a century, Comic Relief has raised over £800million to help a staggering 48 million people in over 70 countries around the world. So whether you are a donor, a spectator, a red nose wearer, a charity baker, a take part-er, a baked bean bath-er, a shaved head-er — you get the picture — then there's an event taking place to suit you.
Here is a snapshot of some of the events taking place in London. Some you can join in with, some you can attend, some you can sponsor, but all are for a good cause.
WEAR YOUR PYJAMAS TO WORK
The Evening Standard are running their own bespoke fundraising event, encouraging Londoners to go to work this Friday clad in their finest pyjamas. By asking your friends, family or colleagues to sponsor you, you can raise money for the Dispossessed Fund which helps tackle poverty in London. Many celebrities and companies have already pledged to don their onesies for the cause so why not join in? We’re already looking forward to the commute.
COMIC COSMOPOLITANS
If you’d rather have a drink than dress up, then The Princess of Wales pub in Primrose Hill is hosting their very own Comic Cosmopolitan night (pictured above), where £1 from every cocktail will go to Comic Relief. If you guess the ingredients correctly, the entire cost will go to the charity and you can have the chance to make your very own cocktail.
WALK FOR CHARITY
Join London Walks guide, Adam, for a special Red Nose Day ‘Rock’n’Roll London’ walk which takes you through the rocking and rolling history of London. The cast list of this walk reads like a who’s who of rock music: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix to name a few. But what makes this walk special? Well, Adam will do the entire thing in his pyjamas. If you want to join the tour and have a good old laugh, it costs £9 with the entire amount being donated to Comic Relief. But if you can’t make it then you can still sponsor Adam via his Red Nose Day giving page.
BAKE OFF
From 3pm on Friday, Leadenhall Market in the City of London will be the site of London’s Largest Bake Off And Sale, as top London chefs from restaurants such as Claridge’s, The Wolseley and Quo Vadis join in to help raise money for Comic Relief. Cake and supporting a good cause. What’s not to love?
FREE BUSES
We Londoners love to complain (quite rightly) about the cost of public transport in our city, so why not take advantage of the free Routemaster trips that are taking place this Friday in order to raise money for Comic Relief? Routes 4 and 24 are taking part - take a look at the timetables and see if you can squeeze a journey in.
RELEASE YOUR INNER DIVA
Lucky Voice, the Karaoke chain, are teaming up with Devonshire Square on Friday to support Comic Relief with ‘The Red Nose Jukebox’. Over four hours, residents, office and retail workers will have the opportunity to grab the mic and sing their chosen karaoke track - no doubt to a crowd of admiring fans (or slightly confused strangers). For a mere £5 donation, you have five minutes of unadulterated Diva Time to release your inner Streisand, Carey or Sinatra. What’s more, there are prizes for the best performance and the best fancy dress.
T-SHIRTS
Finally, for fashionistas wanting to do their bit for charity, the specially designed Stella McCartney t-shirts are available at TK Maxx stores across London. You can take a look at them here.
If you prefer to join in with events from your sofa, you can watch the Comic Relief charity event on Friday 15 March on BBC One from 7pm.
