Finalists announced for this year's Brand The Bus competition.

• Top ten finalists revealed for £100,000 prize pot
• More than 12,000 public votes cast
• Competition helps local good causes raise awareness of what they do

Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel’s popular Brand the Bus competition have announced the finalists that could win branding on a double-decker bus.

A record-breaking 12,266 unique online votes were cast for 65 entries, and the top ten good causes nominated by the public will now be considered by a judging panel.

The finalists are: Support for Sick Newborns and their parents, Sobell House Hospice Charity, The Orders of St John Trust, Helen & Douglas House, One-Eighty, Thames Valley Air Ambulance, Freddie's Future, Maggie's Oxford, Freegle and St John Ambulance.

Brand the Bus offers Oxfordshire-based charities and not-for-profit organisations the chance to have its branding emblazoned across an entire electric double-decker bus which will serve the county’s roads.

As well as being branded on a double-decker bus, the winner will also receive on-board digital screen advertising, airtime on local station Get Radio and the opportunity to become Oxford City Football Club’s official charity partner for the 2025-26 season.

In addition, highly commended runners-up will win onboard bus advertising packages worth £2,000 and £1,000.

Luke Marion, Managing Director of Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel, said: “Brand the Bus continues to go from strength to strength, and we’re overwhelmed by the volume of votes this year.

“Thank you to all the good causes that entered and everyone who has voted. It reaffirms there are so many excellent good causes in our community delivering a range of vital services.

“We’re looking forward to selecting the overall winners and supporting more charities in partnership with Get Radio and Oxford City Football Club.”

Hamish Law, Commercial Director at Get Radio, said: “We're delighted to see such a strong level of interest in Brand the Bus from charities across Oxfordshire. A huge congratulations to the ten shortlisted charities; we're looking forward to discussing all of these excellent entries in the judging phase."

Chris Williams, Head of Partnerships at Oxford City FC, said: “There are so many amazing nominees, and this is going to be an incredibly tough competition to judge. Brand the Bus is a brilliant initiative, and the winners are going to be seen by so many people across Oxfordshire. We wish them all the very best of luck."

Prizes will be awarded to charities that, in the panel’s opinion, have fulfilled the brief to the highest standard. The winning organisation will be announced in June and the branded bus is set to hit the roads of Oxford and surrounding areas in the autumn. 

Previous Brand the Bus winners include the health charity, Oxford Hospitals Charity, the young people’s grief support charity SeeSaw, Girlguiding Oxfordshire, family support organisation Home-Start Oxford, a children’s brain tumour charity Blue Skye Thinking and mental health charity Restore.