What a Relief — Red Nose Day

Charity events big and small ran throughout Glasgow and East Renfrewshire in celebration of Red Nose Day, with one of the biggest efforts by far coming from Carolside primary kids.

The school ran a dress up day on Friday, allowing pupils to come to class in their pyjamas, onesies and the silliest hair imaginable for a donation of £1.

A Fair Trade stall was also set up, with full proceeds going to Comic Relief – and it wasn’t just the children getting into the fundraising spirit.

PTA secretary and professional child minder Gillian Christiansen supported the cause by wearing her PJs while out and about in Clarkston all day, even popping into the vet in her flowery set.

Carolside pupils Oliver Hunt and Murray Fotheringham took the cause home with them, setting up a homemade cake stall outside Murray’s house and selling them to passing Williamwood pupils, friends and neighbours.

The P5s raised £55 on the day, and Oliver added an impressive £110 to the total through his own Red Nose Day web page.

Clarkston boys Evan and Sam Briggs also braved the cold to sell cakes at their home on Woodbank Crescent.

According to mum Mhairi, it was five-year-old Evan’s own idea, and together with three-year-old Sam he managed to raise £109.

Meanwhile, back at Carolside primary, P7s Lucy Graham and Iona Reid brought in £128 by selling red noses to fellow pupils.

In Glasgow, Langside primary pupils Alice Aitken and Heather Napthine took to Shawlands Arcade to sell their homemade cupcakes and scones.

Primary six Alice had support from her aunt, Langside councillor Susan Aitken, who told The Extra: “It was the girls’ own idea and they took it on themselves to do all the work and go the extra mile, which is typical of them. Their families are very proud of them.”

The fun continued at city chambers, where lord provost and Linn councillor Sadie Docherty donned her pinny for the day to serve Comic Relief-themed tea and cakes — with a little help from River City stars Stephen Purdon, Keira Luchessi and Gary Lamont.

Pre-school group Rhythm Time South Glasgow dedicated Friday’s class to Comic Relief, and organiser Gillian Holmes commented: “We had lots of fun wearing red to class, and did a special seated Can Can dance, all of which raised over £180 for the cause.”

Wendy Macleod of Buggy Fit Glasgow South hosted a week of themed mum and baby fitness classes, with everyone involved doing an extra lap of Queen’s and Pollok parks in support of Red Nose Day – their total is £60 and counting.

And last but not least was Giffnock charity Cosgrove Care, which set aside its own fundraising needs to raise money for another good cause.

The disability charity hosted a week of events for Red Nose Day, including a sponsored face paint and donation lunch – and the finance department’s Ross Morrison stepped up to the plate to have his beard shaved off.

Walter Hecht, Cosgrove Care’s chief executive, said: “It was fantastic how wholeheartedly our staff entered into the spirit of Red Nose Day and hope that no one was too surprised if they saw a tiger driving through Giffnock last week.

We all had a great time and were delighted to raise £245 for such a good cause.”