Comic Relief is an operating British charity, and an independent sister organization of the United States-based Comic Relief Inc. Founded in 1985 by the comedy scriptwriter Richard Curtis and comedian Lenny Henry in response to famine in Ethiopia. The highlight of Comic Relief's appeal is Red Nose Day, a biennial telethon held in March, alternating with sister project Sport Relief.

A prominent biennial event in British popular culture, Comic Relief is one of the two high-profile telethon events held in the United Kingdom, the other being Children in Need, held annually in November.

The 2003 Red Nose Day was held on 14 March. The fund raising activities included Lenny Henry providing the voice of the speaking clock between 10 and 23 March. Lenny was the first celebrity to do the speaking clock. The cost of the calls during that period went towards Comic Relief.

On the night of the live show itself, £35m was raised, an on-the-night record.

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