Walgreens Exceeds Its Initial Red Nose Day Fund Goal And Encourages Consumers To Help Raise More In Its Final Days

Campaign's exclusive retailer hits $7million and offers additional ways for customers to contribute before Red Nose Day on May 21 and the NBC televised fundraising event

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Walgreens

May 18, 2015, 05:00 ET

DEERFIELD, Ill., May 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- With tremendous support from customers across the country, Walgreens has exceeded its goal of raising $5 million through red nose and vendor partner product sales, as well as in-store donations in support of the nationwide fundraising campaign, Red Nose Day. With a limited amount of red noses remaining for purchase, Walgreens is offering additional ways for customers to show support as the nation's largest drugstore continues to exceed its Red Nose Day fundraising goal.

As the exclusive retail partner of the first Red Nose Day to be celebrated in America, Walgreens is raising funds to benefit children and young people in poverty and champion their right to be happy and healthy.

"Our incredible partnership with the Red Nose Day campaign is one more way that Walgreens can continue to fulfill its purpose – to champion everyone's right to be happy and healthy," said Alex Gourlay, president of Walgreens. "We're absolutely thrilled to have exceeded our fundraising goal, but the real recognition is owed to our customers and team members who embraced the spirit of this cause and joined us for a good laugh along the way. We hope more people will keep this outstanding momentum going by offering support through the final hours of the campaign."

The laughter building up to Red Nose Day on May 21 continues, and it's still easy to get involved in this fun-filled campaign to help lift children out of poverty. Through May 30, Walgreens customers can make donations to support Red Nose Day in-store or by purchasing select products at Walgreens from vendor partners such as Mars, Kraft and Coca-Cola. They also can tune in and donate during NBC's televised fundraising event May 21 (8-11 p.m. Eastern time). Customers are even encouraged to get creative, flexing their DIY skills for a personal take on the red nose and take a #RedNose selfie.

Organized by Comic Relief, Red Nose Day has been celebrated in the U.K. for more than 25 years. Red Nose Day's campaign culminates in NBC's televised fundraising event in New York City on May 21. The live, three-hour benefit will feature popular comedians, top musicians and Hollywood stars, featuring an engaging mix of great comedy, live musical performances and short, compelling films shedding light on the cause.

For more information on Red Nose Day including a complete list of the charities the Red Nose Day Fund supports, visit www.walgreens.com/rednoseday. More information on ways to get involved is available on Walgreens Facebook, Twitter and Instagram sites.

Media Press Kit is available here: http://walgreens.new-media-release.com/red_nose/

About Walgreens
Walgreens (www.walgreens.com), the nation's largest drugstore chain, constitutes the Retail Pharmacy USA Division of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA), the first global pharmacy-led, health and wellbeing enterprise. More than 8 million customers interact with Walgreens each day in communities across America, using the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice. Walgreens operates 8,232 drugstores with a presence in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Walgreens digital business includes Walgreens.com, drugstore.com, Beauty.com, SkinStore.com and VisionDirect.com. Walgreens also manages more than 400 Healthcare Clinic and provider practice locations around the country.

About Red Nose Day
Red Nose Day was created to raise money to help children and young people living in poverty in the United States and some of the poorest communities around the world. The inaugural Red Nose Day in the U.S. will be held on Thursday May 21, 2015. The day's events will culminate in a three-hour entertainment TV special on NBC, featuring the country's favorite comedians, musicians and Hollywood stars. Money raised will go to the Red Nose Day Fund, a program of Comic Relief, Inc., a registered 501(c)(3) public charity. The Red Nose Day Fund will distribute the money raised by the Red Nose Day campaign to charity partners whose work helps to achieve Comic Relief, Inc.'s vision of a just world free from poverty.

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SOURCE Walgreens