Spark Energy volunteers do their bit for Comic Relief

Ed Sheeran is one of the celebrities supporting this year's Comic Relief campaign.

More than 50 employees in its contact centre team will be manning the phones throughout the evening, raising money for the Red Nose Day charity.

The call centre team will be taking part in different games over the course of the night and will be kept going with pizza, soft drinks and confectionary.

Spark Energy chief executive Chris Gauld said: “We are excited to be returning for the second year in a row to Comic Relief, which is such a valuable and worthwhile cause.

“A lot of staff came forward to pitch in, so it should be a good night.

“For Sport Relief last year, the team did really well, raising funding which contributed towards the overall total of £72.5m. We are aiming to top this, so everyone will be keen to get on the phones.

“Giving back to the local community is something we take seriously as a business, and I’m sure we’ll do a great job on the night.”

The firm has been running workshops before the big night to get everyone up to speed on the charity’s call processes with a fun selection of games and competitions taking place throughout the evening.

A fundraising drive will operate throughout the day within Spark’s headquarters, with staff selling red noses and traybakes.

Employees are strongly encouraged to dress up, or down, as their favourite comic hero, don pyjamas or simply wear something red.

The specialist gas and electricity supplier for the lettings market employs around 350 people at its Ettrick Riverside headquarters, and its director of customer and brand experience, Shaun Burnett will also be playing his part in the fundraising efforts, working a shift on the phones alongside them.

Each year, more than 140 call centres, including Spark Energy’s, support Red Nose Day helping to raise cash to give extremely vulnerable and disadvantaged people a helping hand to turn their lives around.

Red Nose Day is a nationwide campaign recognised as a national day of comedy.

The appeal is bi-annual and alternates with its sister project Sports Relief.

Since forming in 1985, Comic Relief has raised more than £1bn to help people both at home in the UK and across the world.

This year’s campaign culminates with the a live programme on BBC tonight.