On Tuesday 12th March, the Coalition for Global Prosperity were delighted to co-host the official Red Nose Day parliamentary reception, to hear from South African project partners about the work of Comic Relief.

Chaired by Sir Lenny Henry following his recent trip to South Africa, the reception heard from Nozandulela Samela and Thulani Manci, who travelled to the UK parliament to describe first-hand what their projects are doing with support from Comic Relief.

Nozandulela Samela, an HIV activist and communications professional who works at mothers2mothers, told the audience how funds raised by Red Nose Day enables their organisation to equip and empower their Mentor Mothers, who work in clinics and communities across eight countries. In turn, this ensures that more children are born HIV-free and mothers are supported and educated.

Thulani Manci described how his project, the Violence Prevention through Urban Upgrading programme, has been enabled to produce citywide safety surveys to provide evidence for their work. He also spoke about the increasing importance of social technology in his work to create safe and sustainable neighbourhoods.

The Coalition were also delighted to host Jeremy Lefroy MP and Stephen Twigg MP (Chair, International Development Committee), who both spoke about their first-hand experiences of the incredible projects that Comic Relief supports, including through creating and improving jobs and livelihoods for young people around the world.

Representing Comic Relief, Liz Warner (CEO) and Richard Curtis (co-founder) recognised the generosity of the British public, and the extraordinary funds that are raised to support local champions here in the UK and around the world to change lives.