Pop Haydn

(CNN) You’ve probably noticed a lot of photos lately of celebrities wearing red clown noses.

It’s all part of an effort to bring attention to “Red Nose Day,” which started in Britain in 1988 to raise money for poverty-stricken children in the UK and Africa. This year, the fund-raiser has extended to the United States, where NBC is airing a three-hour special Thursday night.

What is it? It’s sponsored by Comic Relief UK, an organization founded after the 1985 Live Aid concert. (It helped inspire — but has no other relation to — the American telethon started by Bob Zmuda and long hosted by Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg and Billy Crystal.) The British event is held every two years. There are also Red Nose Days in Finland, Germany and Iceland.

How has it done? According to the Red Nose Day website, it’s raised more than £78 million (about $122 million at current exchange rates).

Why is it just coming to the United States? Part charity and part business, according to accounts. Variety reported that NBC executive Paul Telegdy used to work for the BBC, which has aired Red Nose Day events since the late ’80s. He’s seen the power of the event in Britain for raising money for a good cause.

More Here: http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/21/entertainment/feat-red-nose-day-explainer/

From CNN

https://twitter.com/rednosedayus