People in Norwich are gearing up for a day of fun and fundraising as Red Nose Day 2011 launches tomorrow.

Schools, businesses – and a milkman – are hoping to raise thousands for the charity, which helps people living in poverty in the UK and Africa.

Across Norwich, people are taking part in a wide variety of events, from bathing in beans to dressing as pirates, in a bid to help transform the lives of vulnerable people.

One Norwich youngster is raising money by having her long-flowing hair cut into a short bob.

Erin Wilkinson of Winchcomb Road, will be changing her hairstyle at 4pm tomorrow at Image hairdressers at Riverside, Norwich.

The six-year-old, who attends Nelson Infant School, has already raised �100 for Comic Relief and plans to donate her hair to the Locks with Love charity, which helps children suffering with alopecia.

Mum Andrea Wilkinson said: 'When I explained to Erin that the �100 will pay for two children to go to school in Africa for a year she was shocked.

'She is really into raising as much money as she can and even more excited about having her hair cut.'

Meanwhile, a Stoke Holy Cross milkman will be dressing up for charity again today as he bids to add to his impressive history of Comic Relief fundraising.

Les Riches has managed to raise �6,946 by dressing up for his morning round on five previous occasions, and this year he will become the Mad Hatter.

Mr Riches, 59, has been a milkman for 22 years and delivers to houses across Loddon, Chedgrave and Stoke Holy Cross.

This year Les, of Worlingham, near Beccles, has already raised sponsorship from his customers, work colleagues and friends totalling over �1,000.

Elsewhere in the city, children are looking to beat the massive total of �85,000, which was raised by Norfolk schools during the last Red Nose Day.

West Earlham Infant School will see more than 30 staff and 230 children transforming themselves into pirates to try and raise enough money to help poverty stricken families in Africa.

Children will also be treated to a special song and dance performance in their afternoon assembly when youngsters act out the Comic Relief schools song 'Entertain!'

Langley school is following the Red Nose Day theme of doing something funny for money by holding a comedy show. Staff and students at the prep school on Thorpe Road will be performing their best stand-up comedy and dance routines at 2.20pm tomorrow.

The senior school in Loddon will also be doing its bit on the day when youngsters will be dressing up as their favourite book characters for a Red Nose Day event that ties in with World Book Day.

Meanwhile, Norwich businesses are taking the time off work to take part in an array of fun-filled events especially for Red Nose Day. Aviva At Retirement on Surrey Street, Norwich, aim to raise more than �1,000 with a cowboy fancy dress, a raffle, and an in-office cycle challenge.

Workers are being sponsored to ride as many miles as possible on an exercise bike donated by Green's gym, while a raffle, featuring prizes such as a sky dive from UK parachuting and a family go-karting trip from Ellough Park Raceway, will also help raise buckets of cash.

Sainsbury's on Pound Lane has arranged a series of silly events tomorrow, which include senior manager Chris Mullender sitting in a bath full of beans at 3pm and a grand raffle.

Male staff at the supermarket will also be waxing their legs and chests on the Saturday, and the First Brundall Guides will be raising money by packing customers bags. If you wish to donate money to Comic Relief for Red Nose Day visit http://www.rednoseday.com/

Are you doing anything funny for money for Red Nose Day? email your stories and pictures to reporter Ben Woods at ben.woods@archant.co.uk or call 01603 772439