More than £38.6m was raised on Friday for Red Nose Day 2024, around a fifth more than last year’s on-the-night total and the first annual increase since 2015.
Comic Relief had reported declining totals in recent years from its flagship telethon of £59m in 2021, £42.8m in 2022 and £32m in 2023.
Before 2021, it had held Red Nose Day and Sport Relief on alternate years, with on-the-night totals for the former declining since £78m was raised in 2015.
But on Friday, its last event with Comic Relief co-founder and life president Lenny Henry as host, its total increased by more than £6m on the year.
Henry said: “My last time hosting the show has been incredibly special and I’m already thinking about what we can do to make next year, our 40th anniversary, even more so.
“The money raised tonight is phenomenal. For the British public to give so generously whilst struggling through a cost-of-living crisis is, for me, one of the most beautiful things about this country. We never stop caring.”
Fundraising highlights
Fundraising events this year included celebrities Sara Davies, Vicky Pattison, Alex Scott and Laura Whitmore trekking across the Arctic Circle to raise £630,000.
BBC Radio 1’s Mollie King cycled 500km across England. The five-day challenge saw her raise more than £1.17m.
On TikTok, celebrities including David Tennant, Paddy McGuinness, Rosie Ramsey and Sara Davies raised £528,000.
CEO: ‘We’re so proud’
Samir Patel, chief executive of Comic Relief, said: “Tonight was a reminder that when people come together, great things can happen.
“It’s what Red Nose Day has always been, and will always be, about. We’re so proud to have so far raised £38.6m.
“We owe a great debt of gratitude to the truly incredible British public, and our partners who have once again gone to inspiring lengths to raise an extraordinary amount of money.
“With so many people struggling, and with millions impacted by poverty and injustice, the money raised this Red Nose Day will make a life-changing difference to so many people here in the UK and around the world. On behalf of us all, thank you.”
Since launching in 1985, Comic Relief has reported raising over £1.6bn.
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