Getting funny to raise money

From schools and playgroups to gyms, shops and dentists, everyone seemed to be doing their bit for this year’s Red Nose Day.

Friends at a Kidlington pub were stretching themselves to the limit in a 24-hour spinning marathon.

Kevin McEneaney, landlord of the Black Horse in Banbury Road, and friends hoped to raise more than £3,000. They were being supported by staff and customers at the pub.

Meanwhile workers from one company in Banbury set out to prove that even estate agents had a funny side.

David Smith, an estate agent with Martin & Co in Banbury, stood in the stocks all morning to raise money for Comic Relief.

And the first customer to take up a wet sponge was the mayor of Banbury, Colin Clarke.

Mr Smith said: “I’m freezing and wet, but we’ve got quite a lot of money together and it was really good fun. I wanted to show that estate agents are humans too.”

Other shopworkers and staff from around the city centre also joined in with the fun.

Over in Bicester, facepainter Jane Gough was painting the stomachs of pregnant women to raise as much money as possible.

And children at Windmill Primary School in Headington had a whole array of activities taking place all day.

Headteacher Lyn Knapp said: “It’s been quite manic here today, but everyone has been having a lot of fun.”

Children had to come up with their own fundraising ideas, and activities ranged from making joke books and washing cars to a variety show and drawing competitions.

Mrs Knapp added: “Most of the school are dressed in red or in their pyjamas, so they are all having a lovely time.”

And at New Marston Primary School, brave Year Three teacher Alex Smith had his legs waxed for £10 a strip.

It wasn’t just schools getting involved either, as 63-year-old Tim Obbard braved the wrath of his wife by shaving off his beard of 33 years.

The car sales manager from Eynsham raised more than £220 by allowing colleagues to rid him of his facial hair.

But he didn’t tell wife Patricia until a few weeks before the event.

He said: “I’ve had the beard since I was about 30. I’m sure I won’t be allowed to keep it off for very long.

“My face feels fairly naked. It feels most peculiar, but I’m sure I’ll get used to it. All people could say was ‘oh, you look so young’.”

He added: “But I’m sure any little thing we can raise will be most useful to Comic Relief.”

And special mention goes to window cleaner Duncan Wileman, who had 36 piercings in his back to raise £100. The 29-year-old from Carterton said: “To be honest, it wasn’t as painful as I thought it would be. I was more painful when she was taking them out.”

The piercings were made into the shape of a red nose and red cotton was threaded through them, in a two-hour process.

Mr Wileman added: “A couple of people were watching in the shop, but turned away, saying I was a brave man. But it’s all been worth it.”

OTHER HONOURABLE MENTIONS: l Staff at Culham Centre for Fusion Energy conducted a 'Pedal Power Challenge', designed by apprentice engineers from Culham. A bicycle was linked up to a dynamo and an LED indicator to show how much power was being generated by the cyclist. They also held a charity coffee and cake sale.

l It was “all smiles on Red Nose Day” for staff and patients at The Old Rectory Dental Practice in Newton Purcell yesterday. Staff dressed in Comic Relief gear and served tea, coffee and homemade Red Nose cakes.

l Staff at Specsavers in Didcot dressed up and raised some funny money with a red nose themed cake sale and other fun activities, including a celebrity sweepstake.

l The Ozone Health and Fitness Club in Oxford ran an extra long spinning class in fancy dress and all week, allowed people to bring along ‘buddies’ to the gym for a contribution to Comic Relief.

l John Mallart from Vida Health and Fitness in Oxford Airport attempted to run a sponsored marathon on a treadmill. Mr Mallart had never run that distance before, but aimed to complete the feat in just five-and-a-half hours.

l Staff at Sophos in Abingdon had a 100m spacehopper race around their headquarters and a fundraising BBQ. Sixty spacehoppers were used and many of the staff wore fancy dress, hoping to raise more than £6,000.

l Shopworkers at the Oxfam shop in London Road, Headington, dressed as pirates and were out on the street collecting money. They talked like pirates, walked the plank and dressed the window for Comic Relief.

l On Thursday, sixth form boys from the Magdalen College School played netball against girls from the Oxford High School. The boys were permitted to wear skirts for the occasion.

l Four Year Eight pupils from King Alfred’s School in Wantage sprayed their hair red and walked eight miles to raise more than £120. Connor Wilkinson, Daniel Copping, Luke Moss and Jono Suter walked from their school’s east site to the central campus.

l Oxford stop motion animation company StopMoGo raised more than £300 at an event outside the Radcliffe Camera last Saturday, creating Comic Relief films. The films can be viewed at stopmogo.com/comicrelief.html.

l Staff at the Soha Housing Association in Didcot raised £165 for Comic Relief by dressing down in red for the day yesterday.