16th February 2015
Mayors put funniest face forward for Red Nose
Day
Mayors across the East of England have been making their faces funny to show their
support for Red Nose Day 2015.
Back on Friday 13th March, this year’s fundraising extravaganza will see people across the
country being asked to make their faces funny for money. The cash raised by fundraisers
sporting comedy glasses or silly wigs will be spent by Comic Relief to transform lives here in
the East, the rest of the UK and across Africa.
Throughout the region Mayors have joined in the fun, rocking Red Noses and donning
disguises to show their support. In Chelmsford, Mayoress Valerie Villa dressed as a white
rabbit, complete with ears and a Red Nose. Her husband, Mayor Robert Villa, put his golfing
hat to use, also wearing furry ears for the occasion.
Councillor Sherma Batson, Mayor of Stevenage went all-out, styling herself as a circus
clown. She sported a bright red wig and painted her face, completing the look with a Red
Nose. Mayor of Cambridge Gerri Bird paid tribute to her home team, wearing a wig in
Cambridge United FC’s amber. In Colchester, the Mayor and Mayoress channelled their
inner rockstars. Councillor John Elliot swapped his usual glasses for yellow star-shaped
frames, whilst his wife Janet chose a shocking red wig to pledge support for Red Nose Day.
Elsewhere in the East, Lord Mayor of Norwich Judith Lubbock put on her three-cornered
black feather hat, saying “I think that’s the basis for a pirate face!”
She added: “The money raised through Red Nose Day goes to help good causes. A few
years ago, my now daughter-in-law successfully applied for some Comic Relief funding to
start a student self-help charity for those with eating disorders. It is now thriving as ‘Student
Minds’.”
Since Red Nose Day 2013, Comic Relief has funded more than 270 projects in the East.
Local fundraisers can find loads of ideas to get involved at rednoseday.com.
-EndsFOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Comic Relief Media Team
020 7820 2500, [email protected]
Out of hours number: 07984 510473
www.comicrelief.com/media-centre
NOTES TO EDITORS:

th
Red Nose Day 2015 is heading your way on Friday 13 March when the great British public
will be asked to Make Your Face Funny for Money.

By raising cash this Red Nose Day, you’re helping to change lives forever. That’s because
Comic Relief spends the money raised to help change the lives of poor, vulnerable and
disadvantaged people across the UK and Africa.

Red Nose Day comes along every two years and combines two very British things: having a
laugh and helping others. Be it at school, work or home, people across the land put on Red
Noses and pull out all the stops to raise as much money as possible. Then, once everyone’s
run out of fundraising juice, they tune into BBC One for some top entertainment from their
favourite comedians and to donate even more cash! And why do they do it? To help poor and
vulnerable people living incredibly tough lives both here in the UK and in Africa

Comic Relief, registered charity 326568 (England/Wales); SC039730 (Scotland)