Fund raising on Red Nose Day

March 17, 2011

LONDON, United Kingdom — Despite not knowing quite what to expect when they arrived, AOC UK and SPOL colleagues travelled to the Dorchester Hotel on March 17 for an afternoon of fun-filled activities designed to raise money for Red Nose Day.

On Red Nose Day, participants are encouraged to “do something funny for money.” This biennial national event fundraises for the UK-based charity Comic Relief, with funds donated to disadvantaged people in Europe and Africa.

Wearing crazy wigs, funny hats, red noses and red AOC t-shirts, the colorful bunch enthusiastically participated in the fund-raising activities AOC Public Relations created for them. First, each employee chose a nickname and wrote it on a nametag; for the duration of the event the colleagues were not allowed to use their real names. If they did, they were fined one pound, which was donated to charity. This was only one funny “rule” of many created by AOC PR; any time a rule was broken, a pound went to charity.

The afternoon’s activities included a general knowledge quiz and an auction of “funny” activities, with colleagues being asked to do hilarious tasks. Jovan Labroski, for example, had to act like a cowboy in front of his colleagues. The highlight of the event, perhaps, was when Dena Zedan and Laura Baker of AOC PR auctioned themselves off to be the recipients of a plate of whipped cream in the face. The laughs from this were surely heard throughout the ground floor of the hotel.

Following the auction, the group got active and participated in an extreme cardio exercise class and a game of skittles. The day closed with a prize raffle drawing — with all proceeds donated to charity, of course.  “It was so much fun, and the best part was we were raising money for a great cause,” said Helen Durkin. “Raising money together as a team in such a fun way made this a day to remember!’’ Gemma Robbins echoed. Perhaps most importantly, Raheem Jivraj said, “I thoroughly enjoyed raising money, and there were great intentions behind it!” And that was the best part of this funny afternoon out for all.

By Caitlin Clark