Red Nose Day

　　Red Nose Day (RND) is a well-known event in the UK. The aim of theday is to raise money for Comic Relief. This is a charity that helps people inneed in Africa and in the UK.

　　Comic Relief was started in 1985 by Richard Curtis. He wrote thefamous films “Four Weddings and a Funeral” and “Notting Hill”. Richard startedComic Relief in response to the severe famine in Ethiopia. It’s called Red NoseDay as on this day many people buy a plastic red nose to wear! The money madefrom selling red noses goes to the charity.

　　Red Nose Day takes place every two years in the spring. It is now sowell established that many people consider it to be an unofficial nationalholiday.

　　The slogan for the last RND was “Do Something Funny for Money”. Themoney that was collected was used to help fund projects in such areas aseducation and mental health. Money-raising events take place on this day allover the country and many schools participate. People also donate money bypost, in banks, by phone using a credit card and online.

　　In the evening of Red Nose Day a telethon takes place on the BBC TVchannels. This is like a television marathon (马拉松) thatshows some of the events of the day and reports how the money raised will bespent. People also upload videos of local charity events onto the Internet.

　　So, if you are ever in the UK on Red Nose Day, you will know why youfind normal people wearing red noses and doing silly things! It’s all for agood cause!