By Sue Crawford

Last updated at 12:25, Saturday, 16 March 2013

Weird and wonderful was the order of the day as Cumbria turned red for Comic Relief.

Phil Hetherington has his back waxed by Sharron Horbey at Jonti’s Gym, Aspatria

Fundraisers all over the county pulled out the stops to find the quirkiest, most madcap ways of making money for charity.

Volunteers braved baths of custard, dressed in pyjamas and onesies for school and work, had their backs waxed and held their own talent contests.

Faces were painted and nails varnished in the most bizarre colours while children and adults baked up a storm of red cupcakes.

Red noses could be seen on every street with the more active taking part in sponsored fun walks, swimming, cycling and running challenges – some of them in wellie boots.

Some swapped their cars for bikes so they could raise sponsorship as they cycled to work.

But the one thing everyone had in common was the desire to raise money for Comic Relief as it celebrated its 25th anniversary.

The Cumbrian with the most daring challenge must have been daredevil Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton.

In the run up to Red Nose Day she took to the skies with the Red Arrows aerial acrobatics team as one of a series of challenges. Helen, from Kirkby Thore, admitted to being “sick with nerves” before the flight.

First published at 12:22, Saturday, 16 March 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk