"The real problem with Comic Relief is that it is a mere palliative, so it relieves governments from doing what they ought to do and those who ought to rise in revolution from doing just that."

That's not Comic Relief's problem; it's the fact the British Public never hold their politicians to account for their lack of action, or their wilful ignorance.

We've become a nation of narcissistic, unquestioning goons, which is why Comic Relief, Children in Need, The Six O'Clock News etc are all so banal. That said, I contribute to the appeal because "Nobody makes a greater mistake than he who does nothing because he could only do a little" as some burke said.