RESIDENTS of Wellington and Longforth House have taken to Wellington’s streets to fundraise for this year’s Red Nose Day.

In celebration of this year’s Comic Relief Red Nose Day, seven local care home residents and three staff members successfully raised £106.15, having taken it upon themselves to give back to the community by fundraising for the cause.

On the morning of Friday, March 21, the group made a stop outside Asda, collecting money and giving out stickers. Each group member wore a red t-shirt that they had personalised themselves, as well as a red nose.

Wellington and Longforth staff and residents thank Asda for their support, allowing them to fundraise outside the Wellington branch
Wellington and Longforth staff and residents thank Asda for their support, allowing them to fundraise outside the Wellington branch (Photo: Tindle News)

The group then made their way down Wellington’s High Street to the Iron Duke for a celebratory drink.

Explaining her reason for coming out on Friday morning, resident Maggie Doble said: “I want to give something to someone else and there are a lot of needy people, so I want to help them.”

This is the first time that Wellington and Longforth House residents had fundraised for Red Nose Day, and it was their idea to do so.

Senior support worker, Natalia Zimoch said: “I’ve been with this bunch for a long time and they’re just the most wonderful group out there.

“We just want to give back to the people who support us.”

Jonathon Rhinds wears his personalised Red Nose Day t-shirt to fundraise on Friday, March 21
Jonathan Rhinds wears his personalised Red Nose Day t-shirt to fundraise on Friday, March 21 (Photo: Tindle News)

This year’s Red Nose Day marks 40 years since the beginning of the campaign in 1985, fundraising millions of pounds in that time for the major UK charity Comic Relief.

Working to eradicate poverty, Comic Relief’s goal is to drive positive change through the power of entertainment.

For this year’s big fundraising campaigns, Billy Monger hopes to become the youngest double leg amputee to complete an IRONMAN; Jamie Laing embarks on five ultra-marathons in five days; and BBC One’s Morning Live presenters Gethin Jones and Helen Skelton take on a 24-hour rollerskating challenge.