A CHILDREN'S brain tumour charity, which was launched after the tragic death of a young boy, scooped first prize at an Oxfordshire-wide bus competition.

Oxford Bus Company revealed that Blue Skye Thinking as the winner of Brand the Bus.

The charity will now be invited to work with the company to design a bus wrap featuring the brand colours, logo and messages of the organisation.

The winner was selected by a judging panel from a top ten group of good causes which had earned the most public votes from 23 original entries.

Blue Skye Thinking supports treatment and research into childhood brain tumours.

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It was set up by Abingdon-based couple Sally and Andrew Hall in the honour of their son who passed away aged five because of complications in his treatment for a brain tumour.

Skye, who was treated at Oxford University Hospital, died in 2014 – a year after he was diagnosed with a grade four medulloblastoma.

Ms Hall, director of Blue Skye, thanked everyone who supported the charity and said: "We are absolutely thrilled to have been chosen as the winner.

"It was an honour to have received so many votes from our supporters to enable us to proudly stand alongside some of the big charities in Oxford that also strive to deliver so much to the community.

Skye Hall with loom bands. Pic provided by Sally Hall

Skye Hall with loom bands. Pic provided by Sally Hall

"I watched the videos from all entries and certainly learned a lot from some of the smaller charities, and in such strained times, it just goes to show how proactive and incredible people can be to help others.

"Oxford Bus Company offers such a unique opportunity, and the impact it will have for Blue Skye Thinking and children with brain tumours will be very significant indeed.

"Thank you to everyone who helped us and voted for us."

Some 7,165 unique online votes were cast for the entries made by charities and good causes, almost 1,000 more votes than in the previous year's competition.

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The finalists were: Blue Skye Thinking, Abingdon Riding for the Disabled Group, Helen & Douglas House, Maggie’s Oxford, Against Breast Cancer, Shine Oxford, Sobell House Hospice, Reducing the Risk, Oxfordshire Mind and SeeSaw.

Phil Southall, Oxford Bus Company's managing director, congratulated Blue Skye for the win and added: "It was an incredibly close call to select the final three and the overall winner from so many fantastic good causes.

"Blue Skye Thinking put a lot into their submission, including details of a wider marketing campaign involving the bus over a prolonged period.

"They also achieved the most public votes and so were worthy winners.

"We are looking forward to working with them on their design for a bus."

Oxford Bus Company also awarded the space on a bus rear for branding to second placed Abingdon Riding for the Disabled Association, a charity that enriches the lives of disabled adults and children with horse riding lessons.

Reducing the Risk (of Domestic Abuse) came third and Against Breast Cancer fourth.