SCHOOLS, businesses and groups of charitable individuals are gearing up to support this year’s Red Nose Day by putting on events to make themselves funny for money.

Chris Giles, who owns Christine’s Sustainable Supermarket in Bradford on Avon, is hoping to raise £500 for the annual event along with the help of her children who have been bending over backwards to raise the cash.

She said: “My daughter Jess, who is only 11, is a keen gymnast and over the weekend she did positions on a mat outside the shop until someone put money in the pot, which is when she changed into another position.”

Her other children Elly, 10 and Daniel, 6 also sold cakes on the day and the trio managed to raise over £100 in just three hours, filming the entire thing on video.

Elly added: “Comic Relief is why we support fair-trade so much because fair-trade is how to support people in the long term.”

At the moment, the family has reached £220 but are hopeful to make the £500 target by the end of next week.

Staff at Sainsbury’s in the town will also be putting on several events today (March 13) including a group dance as well as a sponsored cycle challenge in association with nearby businesses Protocol and BodyTech gym.

In Trowbridge, Dee Dee Wilde, 68 who used to be a member of the successful 1970s band Pan’s People, will also be putting her moves to good use and will be joining Dermot O’Leary at his 24 hour danceathon in London today (Friday).

She will be joined by 10 members of her dance club and said she cannot wait to join in the fun and meet the Radio Two presenter after being asked to participate last month.

She said: “Everyone is all excited and the whole thing is to help Dermot raise money and I thought it was just a laugh at the end of the day.

“My motto is that it is never too late to dance. It doesn’t matter what age you are and this cause is very important because the money goes to lots of charities who will benefit from it.”

Fundraiser Lee Padfield is also set to add to proceedings by completing a 50 mile bike ride to Bristol with a few of his friends, sporting a onesie along the way and is hoping to raise £500.

Mr Padfield, who works as a gardener, said he has been training for the past few weeks for the ride. He added: “My mates got me into the idea and then we all decided to do it. We are starting at 9am and hopefully will be home by 6pm and it is a bit of fun at the end of the day.”

They will set off from Airsprung beds tomorrow (Saturday 14).