Newark and Southwell schools including Highfields School, Sir Donald Bailey Academy and Lowe's Wong Infants' School hold Red Nose Day events

Schools across the Advertiser area marked Red Nose Day with fundraising and awareness events.

The annual fundraising campaign created by Comic Relief aims to end child poverty around the world.

The money raised on Friday will go towards many life-changing projects in the UK and across the world, such as funding community learning centres, support groups and local clubs.

Two pupils from Highfields school organised a Fun Run to raise money for the cause.

So far, the school has raised £305, which is more than double its initial target.

Marketing manager Cleo Staniforth said: “Here at Highfields we love raising money for charities, which is why we have a dedicated Charities Captain.

"Every year we try to find new causes to support as well as those to which we return every year. We try to strike a balance between local fundraising and charities on bigger platforms.”

“Our two wonderful captains planned the entire Fun Run event, which included marking out the course and organising the timings for younger and older pupils.

"We held a special assembly beforehand explaining to pupils the many great projects which Comic Relief supports, both in this country and overseas.

“This taught the children about others less fortunate and how we can do something to help, whilst having fun at the same time!”

The school is still taking donations through a Just Giving page.

Sir Donald Bailey Academy on Bailey Road, Newark, organised a silly red nose design competition and hosted several Comic Relief awareness lectures throughout the day.

Students were encouraged to dress in red or wear Comic Relief-related items to mark the day.

A Sir Donald Bailey spokesman said: “Our way of supporting Red Nose Day this year was by raising awareness rather than money as our families have donated a lot to various charities so far this academic year.

“We held a competition to design the silliest red nose picture with a prize for each year group.”

At Lowe's Wong Infants' School, Southwell, 162 students ran a mile around the ground.

School head Aly Speed said: “The children really enjoyed it, they were really excited about it.

"The fastest children were cheering for the others as they finished.

“It was lovely to see.”

The school raised nearly £200 through cash and a Just Giving page.

The pupils also wore red clothes or accessories instead of their usual PE uniform.