Stars lending time, talent to 'Red Nose Day'

'Red Nose Day Danceathon with Nick Cannon' set to stream live in 24 hours leading up to NBC's May 21 telecast of 'Red Nose Day'

Matt Lauer to bike from Boston to NYC

Multifaceted entertainer Nick Cannon will kick off the festivities for NBC's broadcast of "Red Nose Day" with "Red Nose Day Danceathon with Nick Cannon," streaming live on NBC.com beginning Wednesday, May 20. The "America's Got Talent" host will attempt to dance nonstop for 24 hours in honor of the inaugural "Red Nose Day" celebration in the U.S., leading into the "Red Nose Day" telecast Thursday, May 21 (8-11 p.m. ET), on NBC.

Streamed live from the NBC Experience Store at Rockefeller Center in New York City, the day of dance will be filled with guest DJs and musicians, celebrity drop-ins, and a variety of dance acts and troupes. Viewers can support Cannon's endeavor through sponsorship and donation.

Nick Cannon

"I can't wait to leave it all on the dance floor in the 24 hours leading up to 'Red Nose Day,'" Cannon said. "I'm honored to participate in such an amazing event, and to help raise money for such a worthy cause."

Additionally, "Today" host Matt Lauer announced he's taking a 225-mile bike ride from Boston to New York to raise money for "Red Nose Day." He's kicking off his bike ride from Fenway Park in Boston Sunday, May 17, and will ride for five days straight, ending in "Today's" Manhattan plaza Thursday, May 21. "Today" show viewers are donating to support Lauer's ride. (View Matt's announcement here: http://www.today.com/news/red-nose-day-matt-lauer-bike-boston-new-york-city-t18466).

"Red Nose Day," a live three-hour entertainment event, will feature sketch comedy, parodies, videos produced by Funny Or Die, live musical performances and short appeals films that shed light on those in need. With a focus on having fun, raising money and changing lives, the star-studded event will raise money for "Red Nose Day" to help lift children and young people out of poverty in the U.S. and in some of the poorest communities in the world.

Created by film director/writer Richard Curtis ("Notting Hill," "Bridget Jones Diary," "Love Actually"), "Red Nose Day" is a popular annual event in the U.K. that has raised more than $1 billion over the past 30 years.

People from all walks of life are encouraged to have fun and raise money through buying red noses (sold exclusively at Walgreens and Duane Reade stores nationwide), organizing fundraising events and watching and donating during the television special. See www.rednosedayusa.com for more info.

The money raised during "Red Nose Day" will fund programs that address the immediate needs of children and young people living in poverty in the U.S., Africa, Asia and Latin America. Charity partners include Boys & Girls Clubs of America; charity: water; Children's Health Fund; Feeding America; Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; the Global Fund; LIFT; National Council of La Raza; National Urban League; Oxfam America; Save the Children; and United Way.