Clare balding becomes the new voice of BT’s speaking clock to raise money for comic relief

Following the news that she is to join BT Sport, Clare Balding has confirmed she will be helping BT to raise money for this year’s Red Nose Day as the new voice of the BT Speaking Clock. 

For five weeks only, the famed sports presenter and broadcaster will become the voice of the BT Speaking Clock. Between Tuesday February 12 and Friday March 15, BT will donate 10p for every call made to the BT Speaking Clock from a BT landline*, as part of its pledge to raise money for Red Nose Day. All you have to do is dial 123 from a BT landline, alternatively BT customers can make a call using BT SmartTalk from their smartphone. 

Clare Balding said: "My brother said "so, what next? I expect you'll be the voice of the speaking clock. And guess what??! Comic Relief has asked me to make a special guest appearance and for five weeks only I will be the voice of the BT Speaking Clock to help raise money for Red Nose Day. I'm chuffed, and my nephew, who's learning to tell the time, will be too. So please dial 123 to have a listen and know that by doing so, BT will be donating 10p for every call to Comic Relief. Crumbs, look at the time - I'm running late." 

The BT Speaking Clock has been providing the exact time since July 24, 1936 and is accurate to five thousandths of a second. The regular voice of the speaking clock is Sara Mendes da Costa, who became the fourth permanent voice of the BT Speaking Clock after winning a nationwide competition in 2007. 

To call the BT Speaking Clock and hear Clare Balding whilst raising money for Red Nose Day at the same time, just dial 123 from any BT landline phone from February 12 until Red Nose Day on March 15. 

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Notes to Editors 

* If you call the BT speaking clock from a BT fixed line in the UK between February 12 and March 15, 2013 you will be helping BT to raise funds to support Red Nose Day. BT will donate 10p to Comic Relief for every call made from a BT fixed line in the UK to the BT Speaking Clock during this period. Calls cost 35p from BT Residential lines. Mobile and other providers’ costs may vary and not all providers use the BT Speaking Clock. In support of Comic Relief, registered charity 326568 (England/Wales); SC039730 (Scotland). 

About Red Nose Day: 

Red Nose Day 2013 is heading your way on Friday 15th March when the great British public will once again be asked to Do Something Funny for Money. 

Raising cash this Red Nose Day can help to change lives forever. That’s because Comic Relief spends the money raised to help change the lives of poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged people across the UK and Africa. 

Comic Relief was launched on Christmas Day in 1985, live on BBC One. At that time, a devastating famine was crippling Ethiopia and something had to be done. That something was Comic Relief. The idea was simple – Comic Relief would make the public laugh while they raised money to help people in desperate need. Before too long, Red Nose Day was created and the first ever event in 1988 raised a staggering £15m. 

This year, 2013, marks the 25th anniversary of Red Nose Day which has raised over £600m and helped to change lives both in the UK and Africa. 

Comic Relief, registered charity 326568 (England/Wales); SC039730 (Scotland)