Comic Relief is a major UK charity, with a vision of a just world, free from poverty and tonight stars will appear on TV to raise money for good caused but how much will be raised and how much of it is never spent?

Red Nose Day 2022: When is Comic Relief 2022, how to watch, and where to buy a red nose

In 2021, Comic Relief raised £52 million for various charitable causes in the UK and around the world.

Comic Relief has been running since 1985 and has raised over £1 billion since then.

First established by writer Richard Curtis and comedian Sir Lenny Henry, the money from fundraising and donations goes towards charitable efforts in the UK and abroad

Each year, various events take place in the run-up to the main event: a televised special, featuring various comedians, actors, and celebrities.

Popular TV shows will often do comedy skits or specials of their shows in order to encourage viewers to donate money.

Another common way for the general public to get involved is by buying a red nose and wearing it on Red Nose Day, the same day as the telethon, to show support for the cause.

Here’s when to expect Comic Relief in 2022 and how to take part

Where to buy a red nose for Red Nose Day 2022

Comic Relief have teamed up with Sainsbury’s and TK Maxx to sell red noses this year.

There are eight noses to collect – each based on a different wild animal, including a colourful chameleon, a flamingo, a hippo, and a giraffe.

They are all 100% plastic-free and made from a sugar cane-based material called bagasse.

When is Comic Relief 2022?

This year, Comic Relief will air on Friday March 18th.

This is also when Red Nose Day will fall in 2022, where schools and workplaces across the country encourage students and employees to buy and wear a red nose in support of Comic Relief.

As usual this celebration is intended to not just raise a smile, but also much-needed cash for good causes at home and across the world. Highlights include a special edition of The Repair Shop with Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders and Judi Dench, Kylie Minogue joining forces with the cast of hit BBC sitcom Ghosts in a one-off sketch, Jack Whitehall participating in a game of mini golf with footballers Declan Rice and Mason Mount and star-studded, adults only bedtime stories featuring Stephen Fry, Sue Perkins, Alex Brooker and others. Plus, the cast of the West End hit musical & Juliet take to the stage to perform not one but two massive hits and David Walliams and Matt Lucas showcase a host of new pop and rock stars who are all joining forces to record this year’s charity single.

Lots of love for the annual event ahead of it’s airing:

“We’re excited to be raising money for #ComicRelief this week!”

“Have you bought your red noses in aid of @comicrelief? Reception are so excited to wear theirs!”

“Can’t wait to see David Walliams become Lady Gaga for Comic Relief Rock Profiles”

It’s not all “Yay”. Back in 2019 Comic Relief was criticised for ‘hoarding’ £117million – as charity pleads for cash to help hungry and homeless in the UK.

Comic Relief’s most recently published accounts also show it spent £11.9 million on salaries in 2017, with 30 staff earning more than £60,000 and five pocketing more than £100,000.

So why do celebrities tell us to raise money for social issues as if they can’t put up the cash?

Here is what some people had to say online:

“I hate it when celebrities get on TV and ask for money to donate to charity, YOUR the celebrity with all the money YOU pay for the charity!”

“How about instead of asking the public to give money they don’t have now that everyone is being fired, ask the celebrities to donate one full pay check to charity. Or better yet, get the 5 people hoarding the world’s wealth to donate 0.1% of it and end world poverty”

“HOW can celebrities even ask us to donate to help save this planet when them and their friends are ROLLING IN MONEY !!!! f*ck off with your charity links in bio, make your friends pay up omg”.

“CELEBRITIES keep tight of hold of your money and ask the general public to pay monthly charity donations to causes that should be dealt with by government.”

“A follower told us “It is near impossible to talk with a pseudo-religious person about social issues because they literally cannot have a conversation without centering it around their religious beliefs”

We asked for comment and were informed ‘Comic Relief has formal policies relating to its investments, its reserves and its grant making which govern the way we operate our core business.

Red Nose Day 2022 will air on BBC one from 7pm