Thousands across East Anglia put on a red nose to raise money for Comic Relief

Danny Gould, Paul Branigan and Harry Caine, who all work for Kingsley Healthcare, all got their legs waxed for Red Nose Day. Picture: Kingsley Healthcare (Image: Archant)

Schools and businesses have held various events to support the charity, which helps people in Africa and the UK.

Pupils at Sprowston High School, near Norwich, have raised more than £1,396 in donations through a non-uniform day.

Meanwhile, students at Ormiston Herman Academy, in Gorleston-on-Sea, gave a £1 donation each to dress up in red for the day.

The school's council also organised a cake sale, and has altogether collected £421 for charity.

Staff at Adrian Flux Insurance raised over £10,000 for Comic Relief by gunging their bosses. Pictured are (from left) Carl Pickett, Adam Hollinger and Clive Galley. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Mattishall Primary School, near Dereham, also got into the spirit of the day, with pupils dressing up 'to make someone laugh'.

A Red Nose Day auction held on Twitter by the region's train operator, Greater Anglia, has raised £627.

The company offered to make a rail enthusiast's dream come true with a train driving experience day, which included a ride in a train cab, the opportunity to drive in a state-of-the-art train simulator, a control room tour and a goodie bag.

The highest bidder was Chris Porter, 31, a software developer from Cambridge, who clinched the prize at noon today.

Reception and Year 6 pupils all 'dressed up in something to make someone laugh' for Comic Relief at Mattishall primary School. (Image: Archant)

Across the region, Greater Anglia staff have been asking for donations, wearing their red noses, selling cakes to colleagues and dressing up.

Staff at Brooke House care home in Norwich stepped back in time to the 1970s for a 24-hour 'Abba-thon'.

And three men who work for a care home provider raised £120 after having their legs waxed.

Danny Gould, who works in maintenance for Kingsley healthcare, Paul Branigan, the cook at Thorp House care home in Griston, near Watton, and his kitchen assistant Harry Caine, were persuaded to take part.

Downham Market Academy Sixth Form sports fancy dress for Red Nose Day. (Image: Archant)

Meanwhile, staff at Adrian Flux Insurance raised over £10,000 for Comic Relief by gunging their bosses. Teachers and staff at Old Buckenham High School have also raised more than £500.

Students at Nelson Academy in Downham Market raised £589 through a bake sale and bric-a-brac stall. They also sold red noses and took part in in-class activities.

Eastgate Academy in King's Lynn raised a £330. They had a sea of red in assembly, raising £221 from a non-uniform donation and £109 for a cake raffle. A staggering 280 red noses were sold in three days.

Southery Academy in Downham Market collected £90, while North Wootton Academy raised £337.90.

Kernius getting into the spirit of Red Nose Day at Howard Junior School in King's Lynn. (Image: Archant)

This year's Red Nose Day is focusing on five different issues - immunisation, mental health, education, domestic violence and fighting malaria. The charity funds more than 2,000 projects throughout the UK, and has helped 11.7m people across Africa since last year's event.

Pupils celebrate Red Nose Day at Eastgate Academy in King's Lynn. (Image: Archant)

Pupils at Southery Academy in Downham Market enjoying Red Nose Day. (Image: Archant)

Pupils celebrate Red Nose Day at Eastgate Academy. (Image: Archant)