THE North East has been showing off its funny side and getting caught up in all manner of the Red Nose Day madness.
Scores of fundraisers around the region whipped out their fancy dress costumes with a bucket in hand to collect as much money as possible for Comic Relief.
The iconic Swing Bridge in Newcastle was even given a Comic Relief makeover as staff at the Port of Tyne attached a huge red nose on to the side.
A group of all-singing all-dancing youngsters were also in the spotlight as they competed in the final stages of the BBC’s Comic Relief does Glee Club.
The five-piece group called Flair from Shotton Hall School, in Peterlee, County Durham, were whittled down from hundreds to be selected as one of the final nine acts to go on to perform live in this week’s nightly shows.
Flair, who are made up of Aidan Nord, 16, Kate Freeman, 15, Emma Sharman, 15, Rachel Hunt, 15, and Rebecca Bainton, 16, last night showcased their talents in front of a celebrity-filled judging panel.
Critiquing their performance was former Spice Girl, Melanie Chisholm, and actress and West End star, Denise Van Outen, but their fate was left in the hands of the voting public.
Andy King, leader of Flair and head of performing arts at Shotton Hall, said: “The students have been performing together in lots of different school performances for five years now and they just decided to get together as a group for this show.
“They’re all really good friends and the time and effort they have put in over the last few years has made them really good singers and dancers.”
And the hardy group said they were more excited than nervous at the prospect of performing live in front of millions of viewers across the country when they competed last night.
Andy added: “I think they are all right at the moment but when we’re in the studio I’m sure that’s when it becomes very real, but it’s just a really exciting opportunity.”
In true Glee-style Flair performed a medley of classic songs and musical favourites, with the hope of making it into the grand final on Friday. The musical theme was followed by staff at Sainsbury’s in Cramlington, Northumberland, as they organised a charity gig featuring two local bands.
The Smokin’ Barrels and Mirror Signal Manoeuvre headlined a Red Nose Day gig at East Hartford Club in Cramlington to raise money for the worthy charity.
Allison, Amanda and Greg from Sainsbury’s organised the whole event and managed to successfully raise £300 from ticket sales and donations.
Even more fundraising efforts are set to take place today, which will see 21-year-old Olivia Ketchell, from Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, get a tattoo of Stephen Fry on her leg.
Parents and pupils at Ashfield Nursery, in Low Fell, Gateshead, will be donating lots of money so they get the pleasure of watching deputy manager Gemma Pescod get covered in chopped tomatoes every time money goes into the collection bucket.
