Get ready for Red Nose fun

Giant red noses will dominate the Shropshire skyline when thousands of people across the county do something funny for money today.

Shropshire County Council's chamber has grown a giant red nose as the county gets into the spirit of Comic Relief 2009.

The Shirehall building in Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, boasts a huge shiny red nose high on the wall above the offices and crown court.

And council staff aim to generate cash with a variety of events, including a Comic Relief lunchtime menu.

A big white tiger at West Midland Safari Park will also do his bit.

The normally ferocious Khan, a five-year-old white Bengal tiger born at the park, near Bridgnorth, has been showing his softer side after being given a huge red nose to play with.

Staff said he has been seen playing with the huge red nose for hours – and no-one was going to take it away from him.

Staff at the Ptarmigan building, Shrewsbury Business Park, will also be getting involved by holding a charity book sale from noon till 2pm, with all proceeds being donated to Comic Relief and at the Customer Service Centre, in Abbey Lawns, people will be wearing pyjamas to work and holding a cake sale.

At Louise House, Roman Road, Shrewsbury, reception staff, the START team and Shires Cafe staff will be wearing something red, and sporting wigs and beards for the day – and paying for the privilege.

The Age Concern Day Centre is also joining in the fun by wearing something red.

And, by kind permission of Royal Mail, Dave, Louise House's local postman, will be doing his round tomorrow wearing a long flowing blonde wig and a beard. He is being sponsored by his workmates.

Worker Sean Tetlow, from the new B&Q, in Shrewsbury, will be having his very hairy legs waxed to raise money at noon at the store. People can make donations on site.

In Oswestry, Sainsbury's employee, Gareth Williams, is planning a traditional fundraiser – sitting in a bath of baked beans in the foyer of the town centre store.

Other members of staff at the supermarket will dress in fancy dress to boost the fundraising drive, which has been going over recent weeks.

By Andy Richardson

• Don't forget: You can email your Red Nose Day pictures to the Shropshire Star by clicking on the link here

Andy Bowsher and Jenny Watson, of Storage King at Battlefield, Shrewsbury, are sizing up for a head shave on Red Nose Day.

Mr Bowsher is sacrificing his respectable image and having his head shaved in the shape of a crown, his company's logo.

The 36-year-old, from Newport, is the facility manager for Storage King and will have his hair shaved into a crown and then coloured blue and yellow at the Harlescott premises on Friday at 5pm.

Local hairdresser Mark Barratt of the Beechwood Salon will provide the necessary skills, spectators are welcome and wine will be served.

Andy and his assistant Jenny Watson, pictured, hope to raise over £500 by cross-dressing for the day, and have invited local businesses, friends and customers to the storage centre at Battlefield Enterprise Park.

As part of the fundraising event, a sale of unwanted and clearance items including a slot machine, mirrors, furniture and fabrics will be held during the evening.

For further details call Storage King on 01743 464400.

Teams of Telford troops donned fancy dress before using all their might to pull a Land Rover and raise much-needed funds for Comic Relief.

Troops from 174 Mercia Defence pulled together to move the vehicle 75m at Parsons Barracks in Donnington yesterday.

Teams of five got together to see who could pull the vehicle the fastest.

Lance Corporal Emma Williams said that the fundraising attempt was hard work but a lot of fun.

Miss Williams said: "It was a great day we all got involved and just really wanted to do something for the charity.

"The first team won the Land Rover pull by managing to move it the distance within 35 seconds."

Troops continued fundraising throughout the day by doing an It's A Knockout-style indoor assault course at the barracks in fancy dress, while Sergeant Major Arthur Wier was also brave enough to get his chest waxed for the charity.