Raising money... they just can't get enough! (Comic Relief)

Member Name: topherbenn

Product:	Comic Relief
Date:	15/03/09 (53 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A variety of fund raising techniques; music singles, merchanise, Kilomanjaro climb, donations

Disadvantages: None and there never will be.

I can't quite remember the first time I heard of Comic Relief, but since learning of it's biannual Friday night feature long program raising money of children around the world, I've never missed it.

This year I was saddened by the stories of children dying from malaria out in Africa, and felt compelled to donate some money to aid the projects. Every year the Friday night of fun reminds us of how people less fortunate than ourselves are having to cope with a difficult life.

What's great about Comic Relief is the innovative ideas that are thought up to raise as much money as possible, the charity team up with schools, with supermarkets and banks to spread the word, and make it as easy as possible for people to donate what they can.

Sainsbury's, Oxfam and TKMaxx stand out from the crowd as the three stores that sell merchandise; from the classic red noses, to designed T-shirts from the elusive fashion world.

This year Comic Relief, along with mobile phone operators made it even easier to donate. Texting 'Yes' to 66609 donated £5 to their cause, buying a mosquito net for a child in Africa. Yes it's that easy. The service provides took nothing from this donation which added to the generosity.

In addition, this year Gary Barlow along with eight fellow celebrities climbed Kilimanjaro in aid of the cause - and how much did they raise? Around £3.5 million!

But, it's not just these celebrities that help out, The Saturday's released the Comic Relief single this year; 'Just Can't Get Enough' which made it to number two last week, and the cast of hit UK TV show Gavin and Stacy, made number one today with 'Islands in the Stream'.

I didn't get the final sum last night but there are talks of a record breaking £57 million raised. It's amazing that people have digged so deep this year considering the crisis we are currently in, but it just shows there are good people out their who realise they are very fortunate.

Lets hope that Comic Relief continues for many many years to come.

Summary: A fantastic event to raise money for children and family living in Africa who are at risk of malaria