Red Nose Day: All the action as Sheffield goes wild for Comic Relief

A brave schoolboy today volunteered to have his head shaved as Sheffielders pulled out all the stops for Comic Relief.
Zach Thompson and fellow pupils at Lydgate Junior SchoolZach Thompson and fellow pupils at Lydgate Junior School
Zach Thompson and fellow pupils at Lydgate Junior School

Zach Thompson, aged 10, waved goodbye to his locks at Lydgate Junior School in Crosspool for Red Nose Day, raising an impressive £360 in sponsorship.

The school raised an additional £1,700 by shifting 900 red noses, holding a bake sale and asking students to pay to wear their own clothes.

Zach during his charity head shaveZach during his charity head shave
Zach during his charity head shave
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Deputy headteacher Julie Farrell told how she was incredibly proud of Zach, who she said had 'just wanted to do something for somebody else'.

Zach and his school pals weren't the only ones going mad for the annual fundraising extravaganza.

Pupils from Tinsley Meadows Academy were in high spirits as they joined those taking part in a sponsored Big Bounce at Meadowhall's Jump Inc trampoline park.

At High Storrs School, a sponsored silence, a teacher lip sync battle and a bake sale brought the money rolling in as more than £780 was raised.

Zach after the head shaveZach after the head shave
Zach after the head shave
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SLIDESHOW: Sheffield folk go red nose mad for Comic Relief 2017
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Meanwhile, at the Star's own offices, our sales team organised a cheeseburger eating competition and a sponsored water bombing session, where staff paid to soak their managers.

They also held a raffle, bake sale and an auction for the right to leave the office early, raising more than £500 in total.

Red Nose Day raises money for Comic Relief to tackle poverty in the UK and across the globe.

Erin Woodward, 10, Daniel Cheetham, 9, and Sophie Watson, 9, at Lydgate Junior SchoolErin Woodward, 10, Daniel Cheetham, 9, and Sophie Watson, 9, at Lydgate Junior School
Erin Woodward, 10, Daniel Cheetham, 9, and Sophie Watson, 9, at Lydgate Junior School

The most hotly anticipated event this year is a sequel to the hit film Love Actually for which the original cast have reunited.

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Comic Relief has funded numerous good causes in Sheffield, including the S20 Foodbank, which supports those living on the breadline by providing not only food but also support for issues including anxiety and depression. It received £1,000 to pay for food, new storage facilities and printing costs.

Sheffield Hatters Basketball Club, a women's and girls' community basketball club, is another beneficiary.

The club, which seeks to address social challenges faced by young people and give them the chance to gain qualifications within the sport, also received £1,000.

Zach Purdon and Jake Townsend get in the spirit for Red Nose Day at Lydgate Junior SchoolZach Purdon and Jake Townsend get in the spirit for Red Nose Day at Lydgate Junior School
Zach Purdon and Jake Townsend get in the spirit for Red Nose Day at Lydgate Junior School
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Pupils from Tinsley Meadows Academy take part in the Big BouncePupils from Tinsley Meadows Academy take part in the Big Bounce
Pupils from Tinsley Meadows Academy take part in the Big Bounce