Chris Ward is the Creative Communications Director at Comic Relief, a charity organisation in the U.K. whose vision is a just world free of poverty. We've asked him to write about what they're doing on Facebook to enhance their activities for Red Nose Day, a popular fund-raising event where people across the U.K. 'do something funny', including buying and wearing plastic or foam red noses, to support the charity.


Since the first Red Nose Day was launched in 1988, raising £15 million and seeing some of Britain's finest comedic talent donning Red Noses for charity, the world has changed considerably. Back then, we developed one day in the year that connected fundraising schools, offices and homes across the land. We added to the mix the nation's favourite celebrities, sprinkled in a Red Nose or three, and got the entire UK engaged and involved in a fantastic night of comedy on BBC One.

The day has become a phenomenon through the years, but we have always had to innovate to keep the momentum and raise awareness of the plight of those less privileged in the UK and Africa. Since then, a total of £420 million has been raised through Red Nose Days, and they have involved millions of supporters, including some of the biggest names in UK music and entertainment.

Working with Facebook this year was a natural progression in the way that we connect with our supporters. Even though our televised evening of comedy will be the culmination of the campaign, we needed a digital platform to get so many people motivated and engaged. Facebook was the natural choice, opening up a whole new fundraising channel and a resource for connecting with over 17 million potential supporters in the UK alone.