Elton John, Julia Roberts Sign on for NBC's ‘Red Nose' Special

The event raises money for children in need around the world

Elton John, Julia Roberts, Will Ferrell, Blake Shelton and Kobe Bryant are among more than 65 stars who have signed on for "The Red Nose Day Special."

The charity event, set to air Thursday, May 26 (9-11 p.m. ET) on NBC, raises money for children in need in the United States and around the world.

They join previously announced participants like Ellen DeGeneres, Jack Black and Paul Rudd. The special will be hosted by Craig Ferguson.

The special will feature Roberts’ recent trip to Phoenix to visit projects that take care of children who are facing serious health issues without the means to afford basic medical treatment, according to a news release from NBCUniversal.

It will also feature rapper Chris “Ludacris” Bridges visiting a food bank in Atlanta at a school where 50 percent of the students are living below the poverty line.

There will be plenty of music during the special, with John and Shelton set to perform special songs. Paul Shaffer will be on hand as musical director of the Red Nose Orchestra. 

“The Red Nose Day Special” also will bring the laughs, with Tracy Morgan, Jay Pharaoh and Sarah Silverman among the many comedians scheduled to appear.

Red Nose Day has raised more than $1 billion globally in the last 25 years. It launched in the U.S. in 2015 as a special day to come together, have fun and make a difference for kids who are most in need.

In its inaugural year in America, more than $23 million was raised for the Red Nose Day Fund, with the money now at work in all 50 states across America and 15 countries through programs to keep children and young people safe, healthy and educated.

People are encouraged to get involved, have fun and raise money by buying red noses sold exclusively at Walgreens, organizing fundraising events and watching and donating during the television special.

For more information, visit www.rednosedayusa.com and follow @RedNoseDayUS on Twitter and @RedNoseDayUSA on Facebook and Instagram using #RedNoseDay.

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