SHE is undoubtedly the biggest personality in the North East, so for her to do something funny for money seems something of a coup.
But giant sculpture Northumberlandia will need some help to break the record for the world’s largest red nose – with schools, businesses and community groups being encouraged to help create a colossal collage for Comic Relief.
“Although a lady would never tell, Northumberlandia’s nose is 9.7m wide, the width at the top of the nose is 3.2m and the height is 4.6m,” said Euan Hall, chief executive of the Land Trust, which owns the £3m, 1.5m tonne, 100ft-high, quarter-of-a-mile long artwork.
“We can’t think of a bigger nose, so we are going to need as many people as possible to get involved and help Northumberlandia show her support for Red Nose Day.”
To help, groups are being asked to create their own 1m square red collage – or provide material so that someone else can.
The only criteria is that any squares must be able to withstand the elements for a few hours although the Land Trust are suggesting that people use unwanted red clothes, which can be “cashed in” after the event to further support Comic Relief.
Unwanted clothes or pre-made squares can be dropped off at Northumberlandia, between 9.30am and 4pm each day by prior appointment, or at the Concordia Leisure Centre in Cramlington, before Monday, March 11.
The nose will then be assembled by members of DUCK, the Durham University Charities Kommittee.
Gilly Green, head of UK grants at Comic Relief said: “We are delighted that the Lady of the North is going to be donning a Red Nose.
“Since Red Nose Day 2011, more than £1.5m has been spent on 107 projects in the North East and money raised this Red Nose Day could go towards more projects in the region.
“Hopefully Northumberlandia’s Red Nose will inspire people in the North East to do something funny for money and help us raise even more money to help people living tough lives in the UK and Africa.”
To contact the Land Trust and arrange to drop off a red square or unwanted red clothes, email enquiries@thelandtrust.org.uk, or call 01925 852005.
Or to pull your own funny faces, visit supermarket Sainsbury’s Heaton store this Sunday.
A photo booth will be set up as part of the national search for Britain’s funniest face, with shoppers invited to buy a nose and then take a snap for the chance to win backstage tickets to a Jessie J concert, travel, accommodation and a £500 gift card.
