PUPILS at Llanvihangel Crucorney Primary School were certainly full of the joys of spring last week as they held a mad hair day to mark Red Nose Day.

Pupils at the school, which is well known for its charity fundraising efforts, also welcomed friends and family to a coffee afternoon which raised money for Comic Relief and school funds.

The pupils were joined by other schools and groups across the area in helping swell the funds of the TV appeal which reached £73million nationally over the packed evening.

Red noses were very much in evidence across the whole of Monmouthshire last Friday as council staff in schools, community hubs, tourist information centres, the youth service and leisure centres raised money for Comic Relief.

The county’s four leisure centres raised £1,275 by encouraging visitors and staff to take part in a variety of challenges such as cycling on static bikes situated in reception areas.

The non-stop sessions from 7am to 10pm clocked up 943 km – the equivalent of cycling the Velothon Wales route six times!

Swimmers meanwhile embraced the pool challenge by recording the number of lengths undertaken and donating money in the week leading up to Comic Relief.

In that time they swam 134 km - the equivalent of crossing the English Channel four times.

Regular visitors to Abergavenny Leisure Centre’s aqua aerobics session took part in a special Comic Relief session on Friday, dressing in red and trying their hardest to retain their red noses while immersed in water.

Visitors to Abergavenny’s My Day My Life service took part in a three hour row-a-thon, organised a raffle and sang their hearts out accompanied by a karaoke machine. The service which helps people with disabilities to build networks and relationships and provides access to a range of opportunities raised £114.29.

Pupils from Usk Primary school council also played their part, holding a special assembly to discuss Comic Relief.

Monmouthshire’s Chief Executive Paul Matthews said, “The effort that our staff and communities invest in events like Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day is amazing. I applaud them for going above and beyond their day jobs to raise outstanding amounts to help so many people and raise awareness.”