For over 20 years now, the cream of British comedy and celebrities have helped to provide the most needy people of Africa with at least the most basic necessity of clean water. Through the annual Comic Relief event, which also helps British charities, they raise millions of pounds in donations from the public through various special events and fund-raising. Started by the comedy writer Richard Curtis, Comic Relief is now such an established charity that is receives full sponsorship from two of the biggest companies in the Britain, the BBC and the supermarket giant Sainsbury's.



This year, Comic Relief has the usual mix of celebrities, musicians and comedians donating their services for free for this worthwhile charity event. The popular talent show 'Fame Academy' has been remoulded into a celebrity version, with the likes of Tara Palmer-Tomkinson and Tricia Penrose battling it out in the final to raise money.

Popular radio presenter Chris Moyles has been on the road all week in a special event called 'Rallyoke', a bizarre mix of rally and karaoke. Taking in seven different cities the length and breadth of Britain, including Liverpool, Belfast and Glasgow, it's the ideal mix of Chris's love of karaoke and allowing fans of the show to come along and meet not only Chris and his team, but also sing beside such celebrities as Davina McCall and the popular pop band McFly.

Another traditional part of the fundraising is the Comic Relief single, which is the annual theme song for the whole project and one that raises a lot of money for the charity. This year, the two biggest girl bands in the charts today, Sugarbabes and Girls Aloud, have put aside their rivalry in the charts to record a cover version of the classic Aerosmith/Run DMC collaboration, 'Walk This Way'. Even the video for the song pays homage to the original version.

All these events and more can be enjoyed with the BBC beaming a live show from 7.00pm onwards. A usually raucous affair that can sometimes spiral out of control, it's always one of the most enjoyable parts of Comic Relief Day. Some of the highlights this year include the final of Celebrity Fame Academy; a special episode of the popular hospital drama 'Casualty; written by the founder of Comic Relief himself, Richard Curtis; and a unique alternative version of 'The Apprentice', where celebrities will be vying to see who can raise the most cash.

With the funds raised from this special day and beyond, the money has helped to provide the equipment for some of the poorest people in Africa to build and maintain their own wells in some of the country's most desolate areas. This has not only given these people clea drinking water, cutting the risk of dysentery and other disease, but also a sense of pride and belief that they can manage their own futures. It's for reasons like this that make Comic Relief such a worthwhile cause.