THIS YEAR the Daily Echo has joined forces with Comic Relief to celebrate Red Nose Day.

Red Nose Day takes is an nationwide event that takes place every two years and the last event, in 2015, saw the generous people of the south raised and donate more than £4.1 million which was shared between 219 projects funded across the region.

We are encouraging readers to organise fundraising events from now until the official Red Nose Day on March 24.

Red Nose Day will culminate in a night filled with a whole heap of telly treats on the BBC as a host of comic favourites including Sir Lenny Henry, Joe Lycett, Miranda Hart, Rob Beckett, Romesh Ranganathan, Warwick Davis, Sally Phillips, Greg Davies, Jonathan Ross and French & Saunders.

As part of the show Popstar Ed Sheeran sang on the street with the children of Liberia.

Comedian Matt Richardson said: “Come on people of the South, I’m wearing my nose with pride and encouraging everyone to do the same.

“Put the date in your diary, make your laugh matter and raise as much as you can.”

Fundraisers can organise any type of events from workplace bake sales to danceathon or even just put on a red nose to raise money for charities within Hampshire.

The money raised by Red Nose day helps children in the UK and aboard – with a certain amount available to charities within the county.

From now until the official day, we will be looking at some of the charities and organisations in Hampshire which received funding.

One of the charities which has benefited from the cash community fund is Dwarf Sport Association (DSA) UK South Central, which received £1,000 last year. 

DSA UK South Central Region runs a weekly swimming club at Fleming Park in Eastleigh for “people of short stature” enabling them to develop their skills as well as make friends.

Maisie and Lauren, who have been going to the swimming sessions for more than two years, have now become best friends. 

“Being a dwarf comes with positive and negative aspects.

“A negative would be always getting stared at by others and always having to worry about the way I look.” said Maisie, who is student at Thornden School in Eastleigh. 

“I am always looking behind my back, to check no one is staring.

“Even when they do, trying to keep my head high even when you just want to hide.”

When the girls have been out shopping together people often stare and have even stopped them to ask if they can take pictures.

“It has become easier to deal with because we have each other,” said 15-year-old Lauren.

Funding from Comic Relief pays for the cost of hiring the pool and an instructor. 

Swimmers are also able to train with other clubs and take part in swimming events the Dwarf Sports Games. 

“I think it is important to train against people with the same stature, without having to worry about your height – you can relax a little bit more and you do not feel as self-concious,” said Lauren, who is in her last year at Hounsdown school. 

The Association is recognised nationally by prominent disability sporting groups across the company, and are the national disability sporting organisation for people with dwarf conditions. 

Before the organisation secured the funding they were worried that they would no longer be able to offer the service. 

“If I couldn’t come to the swimming group, I would feel depressed.

“I would be really worried that I would not be able to fulfill my full potential. 

“The classes really make me push myself as well as raising my confidence,” said 14-year-old, Maisie.

Once a year the DSA hosts the National Dwarf Games where almost 200 athletes from around the world take part in the games, competing in 12 sports including swimming.

Last year the girls were able to meet their idol, Team GB Paralympian swimmer, Ellie Simmonds OBE.

“She has defied expectations and now people recognise her as a champion,” said Lauren, who lives in Totton. 

“When they described her as a dwarf at the olympics, it was the first time I had heard the term. 

“That is when I realised there were people like me out there.”

Both Lauren and Maisie hope to race competitively like their idol Ellie. 

“The girls are so much happier now they have each other, they have been able to take their new found confidence from the pool into the wider society,” said South Central DSA co-ordinator and Maisie’s mother, Justine Stocks. 

If you are planning to host a Red Nose Day event then let us know by emailing: hannah.carroll@dailyecho.co.uk.