Join Claudia Winkleman and celebrity friends for six hours of sponsored dancing at Wembley on Sunday 8th March. The money you raise will go towards helping people living really tough lives in the UK and across Africa.

Times - Doors: 10.30am / Event Starts: 12pm / End: 6pm - all times approx & subject to change

If you're attending by tube, please note that Wembley Park station will be closed. Please check the TFL website for best route 

You and 2000 other lucky people will be following along with 12 of the nation’s best dance instructors. They’ll be on stage, changing styles every 30 minutes from 50s to Streetdance via Disco, Bollywood, West End musicals, and more.

Six hours, 12 different dancing styles, all of them simple but fabulous – don’t miss out on your chance to make dance history

 

You Dancing? You Asking? 
Comic Relief Danceathon FAQs

1.    What is the Comic Relief Danceathon?  
The Comic Relief Danceathon is a fundraising dance event, hosted by Claudia Winkleman on Sunday 8th March 2015 at OVO Arena Wembley. 2000 members of the public and lots of famous faces will be getting sponsored to dance non-stop for six hours to raise money for Comic Relief and help change lives. For those people who can’t make it to Wembley, they can host their own Danceathon event with family and friends.  

2.    How can I get involved?
You can join the dancing extravaganza by paying to enter the event at OVO Arena Wembley, hosted by Claudia Winkleman, or by doing your own event with friends and family shimmying round your sofa at home or strutting your stuff in your local village hall. 

3.    Who can take part? 
    You must be 10 years or over to take part in the Danceathon event at the OVO Arena Wembley. If you are under 18 years old you have to be entered by a parent, legal guardian or adult with legal consent. Those under 16 years old must be chaperoned for the duration of the day by a parent, legal guardian or adult with legal consent who can watch for free or pay to enter if they wish. Please note you will not be able to pay to participate on the day.     
    For organising events at home, there is no limit for who can take part. The whole idea is to get moving and raise as much money as possible for Comic Relief – so rally the troops! Join in with your friends, office gang, local dance troupe, family; the more the merrier.

4.    How much does it cost? 
There is no charge if you would like to set up your own Danceathon event. Entry to the Danceathon event at OVO Arena Wembley is £10 per person.

    The entry fee at Wembley only goes towards covering the costs of staging the event. That’s     why we ask all participants to get sponsored and raise money on their online Giving     Page. We’re asking all dancers at OVO Arena Wembley to raise a minimum of £150     each -     more than worthy for six hours of dancing!
    
There is no official fundraising target for dancers participating in their own Danceathon event at home. All the money you raise, whether it’s a little or a lot, will help make a huge difference to the projects that Comic Relief fund in the UK and across Africa. 

The more money we all raise, the more people we can help. 

5.    Can I still participate even if I’m on my own? 
Yes you can. You can enter the Danceathon event at OVO Arena Wembley and join in with the 2000 other dancers that will be following along with some of the nation’s best instructors and celebrity friends of Comic Relief. Or, just get your groove on at home and do your own Danceathon 

6.    Do I need to be an experienced dancer to take part? 
    Not at all – at Wembley we will have professional instructors who you can follow along with regardless of your own ability. Please do take particular care if this level of exercise is something you are not used to, and seek medical advice from your GP if you have any doubts about your ability to take part in the Danceathon. 

7.    I want to join in but I don’t want to dance – what can I do? 
Why not organise an event for all your dance-loving friends or colleagues. Head to the Dancethon website (www.rednoseday.com/danceathon) for more info and you can be the host of your event, just like Claudia at Wembley! 

8.    Do I have to register to enter?
If you want to take part in the Danceathon event at the SSE arena Wembley, yes, you need to enter. You can do so here: www.rednoseday.com/danceathon 

If you are doing your own Danceathon at home you don’t need to register, but the best way to tell us about your event is to set up your own Danceathon Giving Page which you can do here (LINKwww.rednoseday.com/fundraise-danceathon)

9.    Is there a deadline for signing up? 
No there isn’t, but the sooner you sign up the more money you can raise and the more people will know about your event! Places at the event at OVO Arena Wembley are allocated on a first come first basis and we expect them to sell out fast!

10.    Do I have to complete the whole six hours? 
It would be fantastic if you did, as the longer you dance for the more money you can potentially raise. But go at your own pace and listen to your body if you aren’t used to this level of exercise. 

There will be scheduled short breaks every hour for you to catch your breath and you can take extra breaks whenever you want. 

If you are doing your own Danceathon at home it would be great if you could keep going for six hours like everyone at Wembley; but if you feel like you aren’t up for dancing the whole time, why not try a dance relay with friends. 

Wondering about Wembley?

The what’s, where’s and why’s for Wembley

11.    How will I know I have secured my place? Do I get a ticket?
    The confirmation email you receive after entering into the Danceathon event at The SSE     Arena, Wembley is your ticket. Please print and bring this with you on the day and we will     exchange it for an event wristband. 

12.    What is Active Network?
    Active Network is a third party website online event entry system for mass     participation events, working with Comic Relief to manage entry to the event at OVO Arena Wembley. 

13.    Why do I need to set up an account with Active Network?
    Entrants to the Wembley event are required to set up an account with Active Network to     access to their entry confirmation and event details. The only communications that you will receive will be transactional emails about the Danceathon, unless you opt in to receive     emails from Active Network about other events that they support. You will remain a     member of Active Network until you delete your account with them.

14.    How do I get to Wembley?
The address is The OVO Arena Wembley, Arena Square, Engineers Way, HA9 0AA.
        
    Via Underground Train
    The closest tube station is Wembley Park - sadly this is closed on the event day, so please travel to nearby Wembley Central instead. This is in Zone 4 and can be reached via the Bakerloo Line. Turn right at the station exit onto Wembley High Road and follow for approximately 200 yards. At the Wembley Triangle junction turn left onto Wembley Hill Road. Follow until Lakeside Way and turn right.

Via Overground Train
Chiltern Railways run a service from London Marylebone to Wembley Stadium. To book and find out more about running times, click here (Link www.chilternrailways.co.uk )  

Via bus
The 79, 83, 92, 182 and 224 all regularly run through the Arena area.
You can plan your route and check if there are any disruptions to travel on the TFL website (Link www.tfl.gov.uk) 

15.    Is there parking available? Disabled parking? 
There are a number of car parks located close to the arena that can be pre-booked in advance. There is also ample car parking on site for blue badge holders located at the front of the Green Car Park – accessed via Engineers Way or First Way. This can be pre-booked or bought on the day HERE http://www.wembleyofficialparking.com/ 
          
16.    What time should I arrive?
    Official start times will be confirmed closer to the day, so keep checking your email inbox     and the Danceathon page on rednoseday.com/danceathon for updated information.      Arrive in plenty of time to get a prime spot and get ready with our big warm up. 

17.    What should I bring with me on the day? 
We recommend that you pack as light as possible and to help make your Danceathon experience as enjoyable, safe and comfy as possible we suggest that you bring: 
•    Your printed confirmation email to gain entry
•    Your trainers (comfy sensible footwear is essential for day as you will be dancing for six hours on a hard floor)
•    Snacks 
•    Suitable clothing (fancy dress is always optional and of course there is always the Red Nose Day T-shirt or Onesie)
•    A little bit of cash 
•    A bum bag may be useful to keep your valuables on you while you are dancing
•    Your smart phone so you can share the day on your social media accounts
•    Something warm to wear when you leave 

    Please note that any alcoholic drinks will be confiscated at the entrance to the arena. Cans and glass bottles are also prohibited by the venue. 

18.    Is there somewhere I can leave my bags? 
    We recommend bringing minimal items with you. However, there are two cloakrooms with     limited capacity at the arena situated on each side of the building. These charge £2 per     item. Unfortunately, due to venue policy, you will not be able to have access to your bag     until you take it out of the cloakroom. If you’re bringing a spectator, you can always leave     your bags with them. We recommend keeping your valuables on you in a zipped     pocket or bum bag. The OVO Arena Wembley and Comic Relief are not responsible for     any lost or stolen items. 

19.    What do I need to wear? 
    Wear clothes you feel comfortable dancing and exercising in. A Red Nose Day T-shirt or     Onesie and fancy dress is a great way to stand out from the crowd but remember to be     sensible with this and wear appropriate shoes – supportive trainers are perfect– as you     will be dancing for six hours on a hard floor. 

20.    Will there be any changing facilities? 
    Unfortunately there will be no dedicated changing facilities at the venue. We therefore     recommend arriving in the clothes you will be dancing in and putting other items in one of     the two cloakrooms located at the venue. If you need to remove layers     whilst dancing,     please place them out of the way of other dancers in your area and keep an eye on them.  

21.    I have a disability - can I take part? 
    We have made every effort to ensure that the Danceathon is suitable for people with     disabilities, but unfortunately we can’t guarantee this. Please call Comic Relief on 020     7820 2000 to chat to one of our Danceathon team, or e-mail events@comicrelief.com about your requirements. 

22.    I am accompanying my child to the event – will I have to take part? 
    No you don’t have to take part. Watch all the action and keep an eye on your child in our     spectator stand which is above the under 16 year olds’ dance area.

    Although you will have sight of your child, please be aware that you will not be permitted     access to the dance floor unless you have paid to participate (which must be done in advance); parents or legal guardians who have paid to participate will be permitted in the dancing area.

    Access to the spectator’s stand and child dance floor is by wristband only which will be     given out on the day.  Access to the spectator’s area for under 16 year olds is via an     internal staircase that is temporarily out of sight. 

23.    Can I bring spectators with me? 
Of course you can – we just ask you to let us know how many people will be coming with you on the day when you pay for your entry. Please be aware that spectators won’t be allowed access to the dance floor and can’t pay to participate with you on the day. 

Unfortunately there will be no readmission once leaving OVO Arena Wembley in order to monitor the safety of participants. 

Friends and family can still cheer you on remotely by tweeting with #danceathon. Tweets will be popping up on the big screen throughout the day to keep you dancers motivated.  

24.    Can I come and go from OVO Arena Wembley? 
    Unfortunately no re-admission is permitted once you leave the Arena, except in special     circumstances at the venue’s discretion. This does not include leaving the dancing or     spectating area within which the event is taking place in order to purchase refreshments     or use the washroom facilities within.

25.    Will there be water available?
Yes there will be plenty of free bottled water available for everyone participating in the Danceathon. 

26.    Will there be food available?
    A variety of food stalls will be open within OVO Arena Wembley for you to purchase     food and drink. There are also cash points onsite. If you are participating in the Danceathon we recommend bringing some snacks with you.

27.    Will celebrities be there on the day? 
Yes. Host, Claudia Winkleman, will be joined by lots of celebrity friends to motivate you throughout the day.  

28.    Will I be photographed or on TV? 
The event is being filmed and some shots will be taken to show on the night of Red Nose Day on Friday 13th March as well as online on the BBC and Comic Relief websites. By participating in the Danceathon you consent to being photographed and/or filmed and acknowledge that you may appear on the BBC, on BBC or Comic Relief sites or in photographs promoting the event. Other participants will have cameras too and you understand that by participating it is unavoidable that you may end up in someone’s photo! If you are entering an under 18 year old you confirm that you have consent from their parent or guardian for them to be photographed and/or filmed. We understand that some of you will be keen to be on TV but we cannot guarantee that you will be shown on TV or in images used.

Doing a Danceathon at Home?

Help for your Home Danceathon

29.    I can’t get to Wembley, can I still join in? 
Of course. You can organise your own event at home where ever you are in the country. Visit the Dancethon website at www.rednoseday.com/danceathon for more info. 

30.    I want to organise my own Danceathon – will Comic Relief help me do this? 
    We’re delighted to hear that you’re planning your own Danceathon.

    It’s worth mentioning at this early stage that, as much as we’d love to, unfortunately we     don't have the resources to provide individual support to our fundraisers with regard to     planning and promoting an event. Whilst we really appreciate your support, you are     responsible for organising, supervising or hosting your own Danceathon and ensuring that it is both safe and legal. 

Our downloadable Danceathon Fundraising Kit will get you off to a flying start.

    We also love to hear about what our fundraisers are up to, so please get in touch with our     fundraising team and keep them up to date by emailing fundraising@comicrelief.com

31.    How big does my Danceathon have to be? 
As big as you want it to be. You could go to town in your local hall or just shimmy round your sofa in your living room. 

32.    Do I need to do the Danceathon in a proper dance studio? 
Not at all, but please ensure that your dance area is safe and you all have plenty of space before dancing.  

33.    Can we get Comic Relief to film our Danceathon? 
    Unfortunately we do not have the resource to film individual events but we would love to     see your dancing efforts, use #danceathon to tag your pictures and videos via your     Facebook, Twitter or Instagram accounts or send them via email to     fundraising@comicrelief.com. 

34.    How can I let Comic Relief know about my event? 
Do let us know what you’re doing by dropping us an email to fundraising@comicrelief.com as we love to know what you are up to. You can also upload your pics to our Fundraiser Showcase and share the day on social media via your Facebook, Twitter or Instagram account using #danceathon. You might even make it to the big screen at OVO Arena Wembley.