Inside U.K. Brits Stick Their Big, Red Noses Into Charity Work By STEVE HILL	フレームで見る  英文をプリントする  脚注をプリントする
赤い鼻でチャリティー基金 イギリスには毎年3月に「赤い羽根」ならぬ「赤い鼻」の日があります。これはコメディアンのグループが14年前から始めたイベントで、プラスチック製の赤い鼻やＴシャツを一般の人たちに販売し、収益金を国内やアフリカの慈善活動に役立てようというものです。

The choice is yours. You can buy the T-shirt, wear a red plastic ball on your nose, put one on the front grille of your car, buy the single, visit the web site or, best of all, simply make a donation to what has become one of Britain's most popular and instantly recognizable charitable causes.

I'm talking about Red Nose Day, March 12, which is exactly what it claims to be. Launched in 1985, the cause has since raised some £139 million (¥30.6 billion) to finance projects working with some of the most vulnerable people in the U.K. and Africa.

Red Nose Day was the idea of a group called Comic Relief — a collection of comedians and TV stars who wanted to use their power as public figures to highlight problems in countries across Africa and raise money for good causes.

People from all walks of life join in the frivolity, this year wearing a new, improved nose that hoots when it is squeezed! Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell and Rowan "Mr. Bean" Atkinson joined in. Actor Ewan McGregor of "Trainspotting" fame and comedian Lenny Henry — recently made a commander of the British Empire by the Queen — were some of the other people lending their star status to the fun this year, all in aid of the serious business of raising money. Elton John and David Bowie, two of Britain's biggest names from the world of pop music, plus Woody Allen and John Cleese, two men well-known through the medium of cinema for their sense of humor, also took part.

It's too early to tell yet, but the indications are that Comic Relief was on course to break the fantastic record of £27.1 million (¥6 billion) raised in 1997. Much of this money comes from people buying red noses, which were available from stores up and down the country, or making donations by telephone after watching an evening of television with a red nose theme.

Several million pounds are also raised directly each Red Nose Day by ordinary people of all ages. School children, for example, are encouraged to take part by raising cash from wearing red clothes for the day, joining in sponsored silences — a particularly difficult feat for the young — or telling jokes in class.

The work force, too, takes part, with many companies allowing employees to wear fancy dress for the day, providing, of course, they put some money into the coffers.

There's no end to the madness, Comic Relief provides special fundraising packs that suggest hundreds of ways to catch the eye and boost the charity effort. The money, says Comic Relief, has made a difference to the lives of thousands of people in the United Kingdom and Africa.

To date, Comic Relief money has funded projects in 43 countries across the African continent, helping people find practical, long-term solutions to the problems they face.

Since 1985, more than £94 million (¥20.6 billion) has been donated to 1,092 projects in Africa. These projects vary from helping disabled people in Tanzania to assisting Rwandan widows set up small businesses to support the families they've got left. Money has also been used to build wells, educate people about AIDS and HIV, teach women to read, reconcile people after war and get street kids into school.

Wherever people live in the United Kingdom, there is a project funded by Comic Relief within 30 miles (48 kilometers). These range from helping young people who do not have families to stand on their own two feet — supporting them when they leave the care of local authorities, to an Older Women's Network, which ensures that pensioners have somewhere decent to live.

Comic Relief, which has handed over more than £47 million (¥10.3 billion) here, also assists homeless young people, informs youngsters about drugs and alcohol and breaks down the barriers of discrimination that prevent the disabled from playing a full role in society.

The generosity of the British people to this cause shows that it is possible to raise money and have a laugh, too. Kevin Cahill, the chief executive of Comic Relief, said: "Comic Relief works to help tackle poverty and promote social justice. All the money we raise from the public goes directly towards achieving this. They have been extraordinary in getting behind us."

Shukan ST: March 19, 1999

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