Charities across Oxfordshire in the running to win £100,000

Seventy-one organisations across Oxfordshire have been nominated for the 2026 Brand the Bus competition, which will see one charity’s branding take over an electric Oxford Bus Company double-decker for a full year.

Now in its eighth year, the scheme is organised by Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel, with public voting currently open.

Luke Marion, managing director of Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel, said: “We’re really pleased to have received nominations from a wide range of fantastic causes across Oxfordshire.

“The sheer number of entrants and interest in Brand the Bus this year demonstrates the scope of the competition and the positive impact it can have on local organisations.

“Brand the Bus continues to build and grow year-on-year, and we’re incredibly proud of what it continues to achieve.”

The public can cast votes until April 30, with the 10 most popular charities progressing to a final judging panel.

Mr Marion said: “If you have a favourite, now is the time to have your say and give that local good cause or charity the best possible chance of making the top 10 and the judging panel.”

Backed by partners Get Radio and Oxford City Football Club, the competition offers a £100,000 promotional package.

The winning charity will receive a year-long full-wrap advertisement on an electric double-decker bus, along with free advertising on all Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel vehicles.

Radio advertising on Get Radio is also included, and the winner will become Oxford City’s charity of choice for the 2026/27 season.

The organisation will also collaborate with Oxford Bus Company to design the bus wrap, which is expected to be unveiled in the autumn.

A runner-up prize worth £5,000 will also be awarded, which includes on-bus digital advertising.

Last year’s winner was children’s mental health charity One-Eighty. Helen & Douglas House, the world’s first children’s hospice, was named as the inaugural runner-up.

Other past winners include Girlguiding Oxfordshire, Home-Start Oxfordshire, Blue Skye Thinking, Restore, SeeSaw, and Oxford Hospitals Charity.

The judging panel will award prizes to the organisations that, in their opinion, best meet the competition’s criteria.

Mr Marion said: “We’re now onto the voting phase of this year’s competition, with the public having until the end of April to select who they think should be the winner.”

More details about the competition and the full list of nominees are available at oxfordbus.co.uk/brand-the-bus-2026.