Red Nose Day comes to America, aiding children

 Red, clown-style noses sprouted like mushrooms on faces across America Thursday in a fundraiser to help needy children, AFP reports.

In its first iteration of a long-standing British charity drive, Red Nose Day saw the likes of Kim Kardashian and "Game of Thrones" star Peter Dinklage don a cherry red ball on their facial appendage.

Half of the money raised will go to American charities for kids, and the other half to international ones, according to the official website www.rednoseday.org.

Like a big show carried every other year on the BBC, the American network NBC was to air Thursday night a three-hour program of music and comedy, all with theme "Have Fun. Raise Money. Change Lives."

The telethon was to feature actors Anna Kendrick, Jack Black and Will Ferrell, among others, as well as singers including Jennifer Hudson, Pharell Williams and John Legend.

For each picture of a red-nosed person appearing on social media, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will donate 25 dollars, Bill Gates said.

The charity drive is modeled after Comic Relief, founded 30 years ago by British director Richard Curtis, of "Four Weddings and a Funeral" fame, to help alleviate famine in Africa. It has since raised a billion dollars.

"For many years, I have dreamt of bringing Red Nose Day to the US," Curtis said.

"Experience has taught me how extraordinarily compassionate and generous Americans can be, and I've lived my life in awe of American comedy talent," said Curtis.

He said he hoped the combination of the two could work together to help children and their families in America and the world's poorest countries.