Red Nose Day this year managed to raise a total of £34.0m at the end of last Friday’s annual telethon.
This year’s fundraising event, its first without founder Lenny Henry, raised £4.6m less on the night than last year’s £38.6m.
However, Comic Relief’s flagship telethon raised more this year than in did in 2023, when the on-the-night total was £32m.
Longer term, Red Nose Day’s on-the-night total has generally declined since 2015, when £78m was raised.
Fundraising highlights
This year’s fundraising events consisted of BBC Radio 1 presenter Jamie Laing running five consecutive ultra-marathons in five days, for which he managed to raise £2m.
Billy Monger became the youngest double leg amputee to complete an ironman world championship in Kona, Hawaii, earning two Guinness World Records titles while raising £1.2m for Red Nose Day.
Comic Relief also launched a podcast called “IT’S MY PARTY”, hosted by comedian Catherine Bohart, which coincides with the charity’s 40th anniversary.
CEO: ‘A heartfelt thank you’
Samir Patel, chief executive of Comic Relief, said: “On behalf of us all, I want to say a heartfelt thank you.
“Your extraordinary efforts have helped raise £34,022,590 that will help tackle some of the most urgent problems facing millions of people here in the UK and across the world.
“The kindness we’ve seen is nothing short of incredible, and every donation, big or small, reminds us that when we come together, we can help inspire real and meaningful change.
“40 years on, the power of laughter to change lives remains as true today as it did in 1985.”
Since launching in 1985, Comic Relief has reported raising over £1.6bn.
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