GLOBALLY-renowned artist, Mr Doodle, dropped into Thurrock primary school to lead a special 'doodle-along' celebrating the creativity at the heart of this year's Red Nose Day (Friday 20 March) and marking the launch of his collaboration for the fundraising charity.

The iconic artist, in real life Kent-based illustrator Sam Cox,  surprised pupils at Warren Primary School for a morning of drawing together, offering a behind-the-scenes insight into how he creates his signature black and white doodle art – the distinctive style that has earned him millions of followers worldwide and now features in this year's official Red Nose collection.  

Mr Doodle has designed five unique Noses as part of this year's range, alongside the first-ever blank canvas Nose which invites people to create their own miniature masterpiece to wear with pride on Red Nose Day. The full range is available on Amazon, the official home of the Red Nose, as well as the Comic Relief shop. 

To bring his collection to life and inspire young people to get creative, Mr Doodle spent the morning of Wednesday, 4 March, with Warren primary pupils aged nine to 11, leading a three-hour doodle-along, drawing on all sorts of canvases, from walls to Red Noses.  

Pupils from Year 4, 5 and 6 threw themselves into the doodle-along, expressing the freedom and sense of enjoyment that they felt throughout the morning session. 

Zara said: "Doodling today made me feel happy and like I could express myself through art", while classmate Urte added: "It doesn't matter what you do or if you make loads of mistakes, it's been loads of fun." 

Warren Primary School, whose fundraising efforts have raised an impressive amount for Comic Relief over the years, also gained a permanent art feature to commemorate the day. Pupils unleashed their imaginations and together with Mr Doodle created a bold, doodle-tastic mural in the playground, adorned with vibrant colourful squiggles and characters in Mr Doodle's unique style. 

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The mural now brightens the school's playground and will continue to bring joy long after Red Nose Day. Featuring the iconic Red Nose, it celebrates the school's ongoing commitment to raising funds to help support people across the UK facing some of the most challenging circumstances. 

Mr Doodle said: "Creativity has always been a huge part of my life, and sharing the joy of doodling with the pupils at Warren Primary School has been so much fun. They were bursting with ideas and were full of energy. Being creative and talking part in art has huge benefits for children – it's a really fun, therapeutic process, and a great way to exercise your mind.  

"It's been an honour to partner with Comic Relief this Red Nose Day and design my own range of doodled Noses. I can't wait to see all the different ways people get creative with their own Design-Yer Noses too. The best bit is anyone can do it, so grab your Nose from Amazon and get doodling!" 

Charlie Evans, Co-Headteacher at Warren Primary School, said: "Today has been such a special experience for our pupils, and I've loved watching the school come alive with doodles, creativity and fun.

"We're incredibly proud of our long history of supporting Red Nose Day, and this year has felt especially meaningful. Our pupils always throw themselves into fundraising with such enthusiasm and seeing them use their creative spirit to help others has been a pleasure. The mural we created today will be a lasting reminder of what our pupils can achieve when they work together, have fun and let their imaginations run free." 

The money raised this Red Nose Day will support people across the UK and around the world who are facing hunger, homelessness and harm, so they can eat, sleep and feel safe. 

Samir Patel, CEO at Comic Relief, said: "This year we really wanted to bring schools and families a Nose they could make their own for the first time, and tap into the pure joy that comes when children are encouraged to express themselves. Seeing the mural and all the fabulous artwork that Mr Doodle and Warren Primary School have created together is just wonderful and exactly what the spirit of this Red Nose Day is all about." 

"I'd like to say the biggest thank you to everyone at Warren Primary School for all your support over the years.

"We're so grateful to every pupil and teacher across the country who bring so much imagination and enthusiasm to their fundraising. Everything you do makes a huge difference helping to ensure people can eat, sleep and feel safe here in the UK and across the world."