Activation Kit
Red Nose Day 2025
Celebrate Comic Relief’s 40th anniversary with laughter and stories and a giving campaign that will help make this year’s Red Nose Day fundraising event bigger than ever!
Discover more about Comic Relief and Red Nose Day below, then explore Benevity’s Red Nose Day Activation Kit — a collection of expert tips, ready-to-use communication assets, and engagement strategies designed to help your company run impactful fundraising campaigns.
Plus, learn how Benevity’s tools can amplify your efforts and drive even greater social impact.
About Comic Relief
Comic Relief was founded by two comedians, Richard Curtis and Sir Lenny Henry, in 1985 in response to the 1983-1985 famine in Ethiopia. The first Red Nose Day telethon was celebrated in 1988 and raised £15 million. Since then, Red Nose Day has raised a whopping £1.6 billion and supported over 100 million people. Read Comic Relief’s annual report 2023-24 for more information.
- Giving opportunity template
- Activity ideas and event descriptions
- Email templates
- Internal message templates
- Best practices for engaging donation campaigns
How to use the content in this kit:
Review and customise the content below for your campaign. We suggest linking your giving opportunities within any communication to help drive engagement and track participation. Benevity clients can reach out to their dedicated Client Success Manager for support in creating donation matching campaigns or friendraising pages.
- Benevity clients who have used our pre-written news articles have seen their campaign participation double.
- People are 50% more likely to give if they’re asked by friends or co-workers.
Communication Assets
Giving opportunity template:
Let’s celebrate 40 years of giving!
Red Nose Day is more than just a day — it’s a movement to change lives! Every year, people come together to raise funds and awareness for a safe and just world, free of poverty. By getting involved, you’re helping create a brighter future for those who need it most.
Founded in 1985, Comic Relief ran its first Red Nose Day telethon in 1988 and has been supporting local community organisations and change-makers in the U.K. and across the world ever since. All contributions are used to fill the shelves of community food centres and baby banks, fund health services and safe spaces for youth or support safe passage for those having to escape from danger.
By donating to Comic Relief, you’re helping to create real, lasting change. Even a small donation can make a huge difference, providing essential support to those who need it most.
£10 can provide 40 meals at a community centre
£40 can provide 4 toiletry kits for a young homeless person
£85 can provide 4 legal assistance packages for a family escaping danger
Let’s make 21 March a day of giving, laughter and impact. Donate now and help change lives! #RedNoseDay #GivingBack
Activity description templates
Title: Crack us up with your best dad joke!
Description:
Dad jokes: so bad, they’re good. For Red Nose Day, we’re celebrating the finest (or cringiest) puns out there! Think you’ve got a joke that will make the whole company groan and giggle? Share it in our #rednoseday channel and compete for the title of Joke of the Year!
The joke with the most [likes/upvotes] wins [amount] in a giving account to donate to a nonprofit of their choice. So go on — make us laugh (or roll our eyes)!
How to participate:
- Post your best dad joke in #rednoseday by [deadline]
- Get your colleagues to react with [like emojis/upvotes]
- The joke with the most reactions wins!
When and where: Now until [deadline] in #rednoseday
Sign up here: No need to sign up — just drop your best (or worst) joke!
Title: Make your own red nose and wear it to a meeting!
Description:
Get creative and craft your own DIY red nose for Red Nose Day! Whether it’s made of paper, fabric or something totally unique, wear it to your next meeting and show off your creativity. The most imaginative nose will win [amount] in their giving account to donate to a nonprofit of their choice!
How to participate:
- Make your own red nose using materials you have at home.
- Wear it to your team meeting on Red Nose Day.
- Snap a photo and share it in our #rednoseday channel!
When and where: Your next team meeting during the week of 21 March.
Sign up here: No need to sign up — just show up with your Red Nose!
Title: Test your knowledge at our Red Nose Day pub quiz!
Description:
Think you know it all? Put your trivia skills to the test at our Red Nose Day pub quiz! Gather your colleagues, enjoy some laughs and compete for the title of Quiz Champion. The winning team will get [amount] in their giving accounts to donate to a nonprofit of their choice!
How to participate:
- Form a team or join one on the day.
- Answer trivia questions on pop culture, history and — of course — Red Nose Day!
- The team with the highest score wins a donation prize!
When and where: 21 March 2025 [Location/Virtual Meeting Link]
Sign up here: [Insert Link]
Title: Share your why and start a Friendraising page!
Description:
We all have causes close to our hearts — what’s yours? For Red Nose Day, we’re inviting you to share why you donate to a specific cause and inspire others to give!
Take it a step further by creating a Friendraising page to rally your colleagues, friends and family to raise even more funds for the nonprofit you care about. Plus, [Company Name] will match all donations, doubling the impact of every gift!
How to participate:
- Post in #rednoseday or on [Company Intranet] about why you support your chosen cause
- Set up a Friendraising page on our giving platform [Insert Link]
- Share your page with your network and encourage donations!
When and where: Now until 21 March in #rednoseday and on our giving platform
Create your Friendraising page here: [Insert Link]
Your story can inspire real change — let’s give together and make a bigger impact!
Title: Bake, sell and give back at our Red Nose Day bake sale!
Description:
Whip up your favourite sweet treats and help raise funds for Comic Relief! Bring in homemade (or store-bought — we won’t judge) baked goods, and all proceeds will go directly to supporting children and families in need.
How to participate:
- Sign up to bring baked goods — anything from biscuits to cupcakes!
- Buy treats from the bake sale and donate to Comic Relief.
- All funds raised will be matched by [Company Name], doubling the impact!
When and where: 21 March 2025 | [Location]
Sign up here: [Insert Link]
Email templates
Email 1: Announcement – 2 Weeks Before Red Nose Day
Subject: Get ready for Red Nose Day!
Hi [Employee’s First Name],
Red Nose Day is coming up on 21 March, and this year, [Company Name] is getting involved in a big way!
Red Nose Day is all about having fun while making a difference supporting children and families in need. We’re excited to come together as a company to raise funds and awareness — and we need your help!
Here’s how you can join in:
- Donate via our giving platform [Insert Link] — we’ll match your donation to double the impact!
- Take part in our Red Nose Day social activities [Insert Link or Details].
- Spread the word — let’s make this the biggest and best campaign yet!
Mark your calendar and stay tuned for more details. Let’s make a difference together!
[Your Name]
[Your Position]
[Company Name]
Email 2: Reminder – 1 Week Before Red Nose Day
Subject: One week to go! Let’s make an impact
Hi [Employee’s First Name],
Red Nose Day is just one week away, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you!
At [Company Name], we’re coming together because children living in poverty need our support — and you can be part of the change.
- Donate today via our giving platform [Insert Link] — and we’ll match your donation to make twice the impact!
- Join our Red Nose Day activities for some fun while doing good! [Insert Link or Details]
- Share the campaign with your colleagues, friends and family!
Let’s show the power of generosity. Every contribution counts!
See you next week for the big day!
[Your Name]
[Your Position]
[Company Name]
Email 3: Launch Email – Red Nose Day is Here!
Subject: It’s Red Nose Day! Let’s do some good
Hi [Employee’s First Name],
Happy Red Nose Day! Today, we’re coming together at [Company Name] to make a difference for children in need.
- Donate now via our giving platform [Insert Link] — and we’ll match your donation to double the impact!
- Join in the fun — check out our Red Nose Day activities and spread some joy! [Insert Link or Details]
- Share your support on social media and with colleagues to keep the momentum going!
Whether it’s a small or big donation, every contribution makes a difference. Let’s make today count!
[Your Name]
[Your Position]
[Company Name]
Email 4: Thank You & Recap – After Red Nose Day
Subject: Thank You! See the impact we made together
Hi [Employee’s First Name],
Wow — what an incredible Red Nose Day! Thanks to you and the [Company Name] team, we made a real difference for children in need.
Together, we raised [Insert Amount]! And with our company match, that impact is even greater!
Check out some highlights from the day:
- [Attach or link to photos from events]
- [Share key moments or a short thank-you video]
Your generosity and spirit truly made this campaign special. Thank you for being part of something bigger — you made a real difference!
Let’s keep the kindness going, today and every day.
[Your Name]
[Your Position]
[Company Name]
Intranet / Internal messenger posts:
Two Weeks Before – Announcement
Let’s make a difference this Red Nose Day!
On 21 March, [Company Name] is coming together to celebrate Red Nose Day — a day dedicated to helping children and families in need.
How you can get involved:
Mark your calendars, and let’s make this Red Nose Day one to remember!
One Week Before – Reminder
One week to go! Get ready for Red Nose Day
Red Nose Day is happening next week on 21 March, and we’re all in at [Company Name]!
Join us in making a difference. Donate today and help change lives! [Insert Link]
Red Nose Day Launch Post
It’s Red Nose Day! Let’s make a difference!
Today’s the day! Red Nose Day is here and, together, we have the power to change lives.
Every donation counts. Let’s make today unforgettable!
Post-Event Thank You & Recap
Thank you for an amazing Red Nose Day!
Wow — what an incredible day! Thanks to you, our [Company Name] community came together to support children in need.
Your generosity and enthusiasm made all the difference. Thank you for being part of something bigger!
Let’s keep the spirit of giving alive — every day is an opportunity to make an impact!
Best practices for impactful donation campaigns
Want to take your impact even further?
See how Benevity can help you manage corporate giving, volunteering, and engagement with ease. Request a demo today!
Communicating your campaign
Announce your campaign during company-wide meetings
Ask team leaders to promote your campaign
Add announcements to digital screens and bulletin boards in the office
Connect with HR and Marketing on shared opportunities related to Red Nose Day
Download official Red Nose Day resources and Benevity assets
Setting up your Giving campaign
Review your employee engagement budgets
Set goals for your campaign (metrics may include: employees engaged, funds raised)
Seed Red Nose Day credit to your colleagues’ giving accounts
Set the match rate for your Comic Relief Giving opportunity
Auto-approve external match requests
Create a Friendraising opportunity and encourage your colleagues to create a personal Friendraising pages to share externally
Create donation gift cards as rewards in internal competitions
Post-campaign tasks
Send out a feedback survey
Report on your campaign