Have you taken part in charity fun events for Red Nose Day over the years?

%image(15137145, type="article-full", alt="Competitors in the "gurning championships" at Springfield Infants School, Ipswich, during their Red Nose Day event in 2002")

Comic Relief is set to return on Friday, March 19 - though the fundraising extravaganza will of course be different this year because of lockdown restrictions.

%image(15137146, type="article-full", alt="Red Nose Day at West Suffolk College in Bury St Edmunds in March 1989")

Today, we are looking back at some of the wacky ways of raising money around Suffolk and Essex for previous Red Nose Days, including school and college dressing-up days.

%image(15137147, type="article-full", alt="Sainsbury's staff, and young helpers, in their store in Upper Brook Street, Ipswich, in 2007, where they were raising funds for Red Nose Day.")

Some very young fundraisers also got involved in the fun at playgroups and nurseries.

%image(15137148, type="article-full", alt="Youngsters at Two Bridges playgroup in Ipswich celebrating Red Nose Day in 1988")

Comic Relief has become a national institution over the decades, since it was founded in 1985 and the first Red Nose Day was held in 1988.

%image(15137149, type="article-full", alt="University of Essex day nursery Red Fun Day for Comic Relief in March 2001")

The national fundraising drive has raised many millions of pounds to help people around the world and in the UK.

%image(15137150, type="article-full", alt="Red Nose Day at Leiston Middle School in February 1988")

If these photos bring back memories, email judy.rimmer@archant.co.uk

To order photos, visit our website or call Diane Townsend on 01603 772449.

%image(15137151, type="article-full", alt="Red Nose Day at Clifford Road School in Ipswich in 2003")

%image(15137152, type="article-full", alt="Brandeston School pupils celebrating Red Nose Day in March 1989")

%image(15137153, type="article-full", alt="Staff and pupils at Holmwood House Nursery, Great Horkesley with their crazy hair in aid of Red Nose Day in 2007")