What Is Red Nose Day? Comic Relief’s Fundraising Campaign To End Child Poverty Back In The US For Third Edition

Red Nose Day is coming back to the United States. It will take place on May 25 with broadcast partner NBC airing the “ Red Nose Day Special” on the same day. This will be the fundraising campaign’s — aimed at ending child poverty — third U.S. edition.

Red Nose Day was created by writer-director Richard Curtis — of “Love Actually” and “Notting Hill” fame — and has raised over $1 billion across the world since 1988. In the U.S., the campaign has raised $60 million since it was first expanded to the country in 2015.

“This Red Nose Day, we hope to unite the nation by having fun while making a difference for kids,” said Janet Scardino, CEO of Comic Relief Inc. — the charity behind the event — in a press release. “It’s been incredible to see millions of Americans, along with our outstanding partners and hundreds of celebrities, all come together in support of Red Nose Day to help transform the lives of children living in poverty.”

The campaign aims at raising funds through the sale of red clown noses at Walgreens drug stores, penny drives and bake sales, along with the star-studded NBC show. The 2016 TV special was hosted by Craig Ferguson and included appearances by Elton John, Julia Roberts, Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher.

Over the past two years, numerous celebrities have come out in support of the Red Nose Day campaigns across the U.S., including Kristen Bell, Jack Black, Bono, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Kobe Bryant, Sophia Bush, Ellen DeGeneres, Celine Dion, Zac Efron, Bill Gates, Anna Kendrick, Jay Leno, Chris Martin, Seth Meyers, Julianne Moore, Tracy Morgan, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ed Sheeran, Blake Shelton, Reese Witherspoon, among others.

However, the charity has not released the names of this year’s guests.

The money raised through the campaign goes to the Red Nose Day Fund. This fund supports programs that keep children in need “safe, healthy and educated,” across the world. According to the company, this includes charities like Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Children's Health Fund, Covenant House, Feeding America, National Council of La Raza, Save the Children, and The Global Fund.