Sport Relief is set to become all-year-round campaign after years of being held alternatively with Red Nose Day.

Red Nose Day will now be held every 12 months and the details of how Sport Relief will be operated are to be announced in the following months.

Sport Relief has always alternated with Red Nose Day since it’s debut campaign in 2002, but has always raised less money than Red Nose Day.

And, after a “Difficult Sport Relief 2020”, according to Comic Relief’s latest annual accounts, despite being severely affected by the pandemic it still raised £2.3m more than the previous event in 2018, and so it plans to evolve the once biennial event into all seasons format.

Making Red Nose Day an annual event would create income stability for the charity, and also open the door to new opportunities.

For the first time in 20 years we’re changing from alternating Sport Relief and Red Nose Day campaigns to Red Nose Day becoming annual and returning every March, and Sport Relief evolving into a year-round brand from 2022.

Sport Relief is set to partner with major events, sports projects and sports stars, with more details set to be announced in the new year.

This is happening at a time where Comic Relief is focusing on fundraising and using pop culture and sport for social change all year round.

Alex Botha, Chief Operating Officer at Comic Relief

The accounts, for the year to the end of March, also show that its annual income was down by almost £4m year on year to £74.1m, partly because its income in 2019/20 was boosted by the one-off Big Night In Campaign held to raise funds during the coronavirus pandemic.

Despite this, the charity recorded a deficit of £12.1m, as it spent £86.2m – down from £105.6m from the previous year.

This was achieved by a “continued acceleration of the allocation of funds raised in prior years to ensure that we have delivered the maximum impact in challenging times”, according to the charity.

To adapt to the growing pressures of the pandemic, Comic Relief reduced staff costs by more than £3m to £10.8m in 2021.

Following a 2013 criticism of the charity, in which it was discovered it held investments in arms, alcohol and tobacco, states all its investments were ethical and it has not invested in fossil fuel extraction companies since 2017.

It also reiterates its commitment to modernise and update appeal films, by producing films from Kenya, India and South Africa using local crews, and local people leading the films in front of the camera.