Thousands of Shropshire people have been taking up the challenge of doing something “funny for money” – and were today counting the proceeds from their efforts.

Watch our video to see Paul Shuttleworth’s Red Nose Tour of Shropshire!

Game fundraisers yesterday brought the county out in smiles by taking part in a host of weird and wonderful activities to raise huge amounts of cash for underprivileged children at home and abroad.

Staff from many of Oswestry’s businesses took part in events yesterday and Oswestry’s Sainsbury’s store was a hive of fundraising activity.

A sponsored leg wax session was held at the store’s entrance and one brave participant was the store’s produce team leader Pete Griffiths who said staff were delighted to support the good cause.

He said: “The waxing is not too bad to be honest – I’ve quite enjoyed it!”

Schools throughout Oswestry borough staged various fundraising events with many fancy dress parties held.

At Llansilin Primary School children dressed up as their favourite celebrities and staff at the Peter Pan Nursery in Gobowen took part in a sponsored exercise bike ride.

The fun continued in Telford where six members of the Mazda sales team at Furrows in the town donned fancy dress costume to run up The Wrekin.

The efforts of Dave Farthing, Bill Cooper, Mike Kirkpatrick, Antony Frost, Dave Griffiths and Ricky Singh have so far raised £800 in sponsorship money.

Their costumes – including a giant beer bottle, gorilla costume and Borat-style “mankini” – were donated by the Fancy Dress Company in Wellington.

Staff at Wrekin Housing Trust decided to turn red yesterday as they donned their red noses, red clothes and director of housing for the Trust, Jane Brookes, even dyed her hair bright red.

Staff at Lakeside Appliance Centre in Priorslee were busy drawing a giant red nose on grass outside of the garden centre with the help of children from Red Hill School.

Pupils at Captain Webb Primary’s Friends of the School had fun after being donated 300 white T-shirts by clothing company Fruit of the Loom. Youngsters paid £1 to decorate and wear their T-shirts to school.

Youngsters at Oakengates Children’s Centre, in Limes Lane, Oakengates, were playing dress-up and baking cakes with their parents, who were invited in to help raise money with their children.