Nailsea turns very RED

Red Nose Day raised a staggering £78,082,988 and counting for its work changing lives in the UK and across Africa.

Whether it's at work, school or play, the money raised for Red Nose Day is spent by Comic Relief to transform the lives of millions of people.

In Nailsea and nearby Backwell the dentists, vets, estate agents, opticians, fitness centre, hairdressers and schools all played their part while sticking to the theme of ‘having lots of fun’.

Since its launch in 1988, Red Nose Day has become something of a British institution.

It’s the day, every two years, when people across the land can get together and do something funny for money inspired by a fantastic night on the box with the BBC.

Nailsea School pupils gave a donation to wear something red and sixth formers donned PJs for the day - they banked £1,400 with more to come

Golden Valley Vets put on a sponsored dog walk from Nailsea Park to Nowhere Wood.

Staff from the animal hospital hid cuddly toys in the woodland and children were able to find to win a prize and also enjoy some donkey rides.

More than 21 dogs enjoyed the family day out and the event has raised more than £300 for charity.

The vets also sold cakes all week in aid of the cause.

Charlie Yarr, who has been organising the events at Golden Valley Vets, said: “We are really grateful to everyone who turned up for the walk.”

Fairfield School at Backwell hosted a Strictly Come Dancing afternoon dance while at Golden Valley Primary School staff and children dressed in red having made their faces ‘funny for money’.

At Hannah More Infant School and next door Grove Junior School the children also wore red nose for a non uniform day.

Parkers at Backwell hosted a great Comic Relief bake off and raised more than £90 from house hunters, schoolchildren and people passing by its Station Road estate agents.

While Heritage at Nailsea filled a Fiat with balloons and asked customers to pay a £1 to guess how many to win a hamper full of goodies.

Managing director Richard Van de Velde said: “Despite the rain the team were determined and raised a fantastic £118.50.”

Specsavers staff at Somerset Square donned bright red comedy glasses with hair raising eyebrows, as modelled by the fabulous Gok Wan.

Store director Nic Johns said: “The whole team has gotten behind Red Nose Day and were really hoping to raise as much as possible.

“The store looks very colourful with bunting and balloons and the comedy specs are going down so well with customers that there is a lovely buzz in the store at the moment.”

Fitness instructor Debbie Lough completed a gruelling 211-mile cycle ride in just 11½ hours to raise money for Comic Relief.

Debbie who works at theclub at DoubleTree by Hilton, Cadbury House cycled the equivalent distance between the health club and Land’s End from a spin bike in the reception of the club.

She was joined throughout the day by health club members who kept her company and cheered her on during the challenge which raised more than £1,000 for charity.

Debbie said: “I started the challenge at 5.30am and I managed to smash my target of 12 hours by half an hour so it’s a double celebration.”

And hundreds of nimble footed bloggers from North Somerset joined Team Honk at Wembley for a six hour Danceathon for Comic Relief.

These photos will all go in a gallery later just waiting to add a few more...