Matt Lauer Hits the Road for 'Red Nose Day' on NBC's 'TODAY'
TODAY is going ten-speed for "Red Nose Day," a fundraising event supporting children and teens living in poverty. In a morning television first, Matt Lauer will bike approximately 225 miles from Boston to New York City in an effort to raise awareness and funding for programs that address the immediate needs of impoverished young people in the U.S. and in some of the poorest communities in the world. The ride kicked off from Boston’s Fenway Park on Sunday, May 17 and will end at Rockefeller Plaza on Thursday, May 21.
In Lauer's five-day bike journey, he will travel through four states, cross a patch of ocean, and ride down quiet country roads and busy city streets. TODAY will document Lauer’s epic ride throughout the week, and along the way, he will introduce viewers to children who will benefit from the funds raised by the ride.
Members of the TODAY team will show their support and join Lauer throughout his trip. Viewers can root Lauer on and join the conversation using #GoMattGo. For more information and to make a donation visit: TODAY.com/RedNoseDay.
"Red Nose Day" is a popular annual event in the U.K., created by film director/writer Richard Curtis ("Love Actually," "Bridget Jones’ Diary," "Notting Hill"). The program unites people from all walks of life in the interest of changing and saving lives across the globe, and has raised more than $1 billion since it launched in 1988. "Red Nose Day," inspired and supported by Comic Relief U.K., is coming to the U.S. for the first time with NBC’s star-studded live broadcast airing Thursday, May 21 at 8 p.m. ET. The three-hour special will help raise money to fund 12 poverty-fighting charities in the U.S. and internationally, and will feature sketch comedy, parodies, videos produced by Funny Or Die, music performances and appearances by some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, including Will Ferrell, Jack Black, Christina Aguilera, Sam Smith and many more.