Charities and community organisations across Oxfordshire have just two weeks left to enter the latest edition of the Brand the Bus competition, with a prize package worth £100,000 available to the winning cause.
The annual contest, organised by Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel, invites local charities and good causes to compete for a high-profile publicity package designed to raise awareness across the county.
Nominations opened on 02 March and will close on 31 March. Organisers say more than 20 entries have already been received, but further nominations are being encouraged before the deadline.
Applications can be submitted through a short online form, after which the competition will move into a public voting phase running from 01 to 30 April.
Read more: Brand the Bus returns with £100k prize for Oxfordshire charities
The winner will receive a year-long full-wrap advertisement on an electric double-decker bus, alongside free on-board advertising across Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel services. The package also includes radio advertising through Get Radio and recognition as Oxford City Football Club’s charity of choice for the 2026/27 season.
Hamish Law, commercial director at Get Radio, said:
“We’re delighted to be supporting Brand the Bus again this year, giving even more Oxfordshire charities the opportunity to win a truly game-changing level of exposure across the county.
“Brand the Bus 2025 was a tremendous success, and we’re excited to build on that this year with our fantastic partners at Oxford Bus Company, Thames Travel and Oxford City Football Club.”
Chris Williams, head of partnerships at Oxford City FC, said:
“Oxford City FC are proud to be invited to be part of Brand the Bus once more.
“So many charities do such incredible work across the Oxfordshire community, and this is a fantastic way to help spread the word all around the county.
“We have built a strong partnership with last year’s winners, One-Eighty, and we look forward to doing so again with this year’s successful charity.”
After public voting closes, the top 10 entries will be reviewed by a judging panel before a winner is chosen.
The winning organisation will work with Oxford Bus Company on the final bus design, with the branded vehicle expected to launch in autumn. A runner-up will also receive a £5,000 advertising package including digital promotion on buses.
