With all the red-nosed youths running around the Helen Haller Elementary School playfields last week, a passerby may have thought a circus had come to town.

Youngsters at the Sequim Boys & Girls Club participated in the annual Red Nose Day event on May 24, when its members sported red noses for the day and held a Ninja Warrior contest — all to raise awareness for ending child poverty.

“More than just being fun, our club provides a variety of programs that focus on education, health and wellness and leadership,” Tessa Jackson, program director at the Sequim club, said.

The event was in conjunction with the nationwide fundraising campaign Red Nose Day, run by the nonprofit Comic Relief Inc. It is part of an international movement to ending child poverty and launched in the U.S. in 2015.

Funds raised from the event benefit programs for children and youth throughout the US and in 34 countries.

Red noses were on sale at Walgreens stores in Sequim and Port Angeles with a portion of the proceeds from all items donated to the Red Nose Day fund and the 12 non-profit partners, including the Boys & Girls Club.

These funds also support programs that aim to keep youths living in poverty safe, healthy and educated.

“We’re so grateful for the support of Red Nose Day for our club and clubs across the country,” Jackson said.

“For these kids, it will not only mean a difference this summer, but a difference this school year and far beyond.”

For the Sequim event, youths had to run through a timed, Ninja Warrior-style course set up at the Helen Haller playfields, including monkey bars, a rock wall and the jungle gym. Youths had to complete the course wearing his or her red nose.

Jackson said this was the first year the Club hosted a Ninja Warrior theme — after the popular television show — and thought it would be a fun addition with the annual event.

For more information about Red Nose Day, visit https://home.rednoseday.org/what-is-red-nose-day.

Sophia Treece, a fifth grader at Greywolf Elementary School, climbs the rock wall at the Helen Haller playfields as part of the Boys & Girls Club’s Red Nose Day Ninja Warrior event.

Paige Penson, a fourth grader at Helen Haller Elementary School, swings across the monkey bars wearing a red nose to complete the Ninja Warrior course during the Boys and Girls Club’s red nose day on May 24. Sequim Gazette photo by Erin Hawkins