Red Nose Day, national fundraising movement and live NBC broadcast, returns for 2016

Star-studded Red Nose Day special to air live on NBC May 26

Walgreens the exclusive Red Nose Day retailer for second year; red noses now on sale nationwide

Red Nose Day announced the return of its second annual campaign, inviting the American public to come together on May 26 to have fun and make a difference for kids who need our help the most - those at home and around the world.

People across the country can get involved by purchasing a red nose at Walgreens, hosting a fundraiser in their communities and watching the live NBC special, featuring some of the world's biggest stars.

Red Nose Day is on a mission to lift kids out of poverty and has raised more than $1 billion globally in the past 25 years.

The 2016 "FUN-raising" campaign kicks off this week, with the campaign's iconic red noses on sale now in Walgreens nationwide. It will culminate with a star-studded NBC broadcast live from Los Angeles on May 26 (9-11 p.m. ET). The primetime television special will feature stand-up performances, sketch comedy, short films and music performances from popular artists. Participating celebrities and performers for 2016 will be announced at a later date.

In 2015, more than 100 celebrities lent their support to Red Nose Day's inaugural campaign in the U.S., with stars including Julia Roberts, Pharrell, Will Ferrell, Michelle Rodriguez, Blake Shelton, Reese Witherspoon, Jack Black and Ed Sheeran appearing on the NBC special. More than $23 million was raised for the Red Nose Day fund, with the money now at work in all 50 states and 15 countries internationally through programs to keep children and young people safe, healthy and educated.

The money raised by Red Nose Day in 2016 will help support projects in some of the neediest communities in the U.S. and some of the poorest communities in the world. In 2016, partner charities include Boys & Girls Club of America; charity:water; Children's Health Fund; Covenant House; Feeding America; Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; National Council of La Raza; National Urban League; Oxfam America; Save the Children; and The Global Fund.

"Seeing Red Nose Day come to America in 2015 was a real joy. We were so delighted by the response it received," said Richard Curtis, co-creator of Red Nose Day, and writer-director of films such as "Love Actually" and "Notting Hill." "We're gearing up for an even bigger Red Nose Day in 2016, and I hope even more people will join us - having fun as they raise or give money. With the support and generosity of the American public, of NBC, of our brand partners, and of so many amazing stars, it's wonderful to know that we're going to raise enough money to help change - and even save - the lives of a huge number of kids in the U.S. and around the world."​​

This year is the second year NBC, Walgreens and M&M'S are partnering with Red Nose Day. NBC is the official broadcast partner with Walgreens and M&M'S set as two of the presenting media sponsors. Walgreens is also the official retail partner for millions of red noses, a range of Red Nose Day "flair" merchandise and a host of other Red Nose Day partner products.

For more information, visit the Red Nose Day website, www.rednoseday.org, and follow @RedNoseDayUS on Twitter and @RedNoseDayUSA on Facebook and Instagram using #RedNoseDay. 

About Red Nose Day

Red Nose Day (rednoseday.org) is a fundraising campaign run by the nonprofit organization Comic Relief Inc. (comicrelief.org), a registered 501(c)(3) public charity. Red Nose Day has raised over $1 billion globally in the past 25 years, and in the UK has become a cultural phenomenon where people across the country come together to have fun, raise money and change lives.