Red Nose Day: What is Comic Relief USA and where does the money go?

The charity has raised over $100m in the last three years

Ed Sheeran helps raise awareness for Red Nose Day (Comic Relief)

In the US, 15 million children - or 21 per cent of all the children in the country - suffer from childhood poverty.

Child poverty doesn’t just mean a lack of resources or money. It also means hunger, an inability to receive education or healthcare, and numerous other problems.

This statistic and the detrimental effects that growing up below the poverty level can have on children prompted the non-profit organisation Comic Relief Inc to start Red Nose Day.

What is Red Nose Day and when is it?

Red Nose Day is a fundraising campaign run by Comic Relief Inc. dedicated to ending child poverty in the US and in some of the poorest communities in the world.

Red Nose Day launched in the US in 2015 and has raised over $100m in its first three years.

The money raised by the US Red Nose Day has benefited programs for children and young people in all 50 states and in 34 countries internationally, according to the website.

To raise money for the cause, wearable red noses are sold at Walgreens and Duane Reade for $1 each.

Each red nose purchase contributes 50c to the cause, with the remaining 50c contributing to the cost of the red nose.

This year, the annual charity day will take place in America on Thursday May 24 2018.

Also on the 24th, NBC will be hosting prime-time programming celebrating Red Nose Day.

Red Nose Day was first started in the UK in 1988 and raised £15m. Since then, the day is held every two years in the UK and marked with a night of fundraising TV on the BBC.

Over the past 30 years, Red Nose Day has raised over $1bn globally.

Why Red Noses?

The goal of the campaign is to make raising money fun. With the red noses, the campaign is mimicking the red noses often found on clowns - bringing a playful air to the cause.

In addition to acting as a conversation starter, the now-identifiable red noses show your support for ending childhood poverty.

The organisation also offers pins, wristbands, and pens for purchase.

In New York City, huge red noses are placed all over the city to mark the day.

Who participates?

Numerous celebrities participate in raising money and awareness for Red Nose Day each year.

This year, Paul Rudd and Julia Roberts have lent their names and hands to helping the charity prior to the 24th, with many more celebrities expected to appear on NBC's program.

Comic Relief also partners with over 150 celebrities who support the cause, including Jon Stewart, Justin Bieber, Kate Moss, Bill Gates, and Sam Smith.

Where does the money go?

The money raised by Red Nose Day benefits children in numerous ways, in some of the neediest communities in the US.

According to their website, all of the money supports projects to keep children and young people safe, healthy, educated and empowered.

The organisation has broken down these figures to show just how much of a difference $1 can make, with the help of their partner charities.

According to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, just $1 can provide nutritious food for a child. It can also provide school supplies for a student, according to Save the Children.

The money is also used to provide medical supplies such as vaccines, safe places for children to stay during the summer, and textbooks in schools.

According to rednose.org, money raised by Red Nose Day US since 2015 has provided over 32.2m meals to hungry children, has brought education services to 899,493 children and has served 61,527 homeless young people.

And “because girls are particularly vulnerable to extreme poverty in terms of their health, education, and safety, Red Nose Day has always had a focus on girls and young women.”

This year, the Bill Gates Foundation has pledged to match a $1m donation to the charity.

Overall, Red Nose Day US has helped over 8m children living in poverty when they need it most.

You can purchase a red nose exclusively at Walgreens or donate to the charity here.