Over Comic Relief's 21 year history the music industry cumulatively has made a massive contribution to the enormous success of the organisation. No less than 11 Number One singles and numerous music events over the years have meant that for this year's Red Nose Day campaign the charity has got together with the UK's record companies and publishers to launch Music Relief.

To celebrate this extraordinary commitment from the music industry, Comic Relief has generated over 21 opportunities for musical performances across a host of BBC shows including performance slots in Let's Dance for Comic Relief, Comic Relief does Top of The Pops and the Comic Relief: Funny for Money.

For a 48 hour period from Red Nose Day on Friday 13th March, we are hoping to turn the UK Singles Chart red. From midnight last night (Thursday 12th) to midnight on Saturday 14th March, 20p of any Top 40 song downloaded via the iTunes UK store (as listed in the midweek charts published on Wednesday 11th March) will go to Comic Relief. The ambition is to drive as many downloads as possible to raise as much cash as possible for poor and vulnerable people in the UK and Africa.

The Comic Relief official singles for the Red Nose Day 2009 campaign are The Saturdays with Just Can't Get Enough and Rob Brydon & Ruth Jones with (Barry) Islands in the Stream. Both of which will be included in this chart.

Lily Allen says: "I've watched Comic Relief since I was a kid, so being able to help in such a straightforward way is great. Music Relief will see the whole top forty turn red for a weekend - get downloading from iTunes UK from midnight on Thursday 12th March through to midnight on Saturday 14th and the music industry will be donating to Comic Relief each time you do - its a really good way to celebrate music but also do some good as well".