Cisco nose how to help Comic Relief

The site will launch on 6 February 2001 as part of the run-up to Red Nose Day in March. In addition to facilities for donating money, it will include a comedy archive, games, web chats with celebrities and original comic material created specifically for the site.

CEO Kevin Cahill said: "We want Red Nose Day to spread its wings and do different things, so we are very keen to increase our online capacity. Last time we raised £400,000 online, and next time we're projecting £4m."

Comic Relief hopes the site will help with plans for international expansion and allow the charity to raise money year-round, rather than just on Red Nose Day.

Cahill explained that because the charity gives all money raised to its causes, the sort of professional website the organisation needed wasn't possible without partners. US networking giant Cisco will underwrite the site by providing money, equipment and technical expertise.

Dick Gillespie, VP for the UK and Ireland at Cisco, said: "We think they're exactly the type of organisation that can really benefit by having a web presence. The internet isn't just about business, it's also about changing people's lives."