Oxford Bus Company has launched its latest double decker backing good causes, with Be Free Young Carers winning advertising space.
The charity scooped second prize in Oxford Bus Company’s latest annual ‘Brand the Bus!’ competition and received the advertising space to help spread awareness of the charity.
The bus will be used across various city services in Oxford and joins a range of branded buses in operation backing good causes.
Read again: Heartless son stole 70k from elderly mum
Based in Didcot, Be Free Young Carers provides support and advice dedicated to improving the lives of young carers. It operates in South Oxfordshire and Oxford and is due to expand across the county.
It is the only specialist charity supporting young carers in Oxfordshire. Its support includes befriending and peer support, enabling young carers to meet, have fun and increase their self-confidence and mental well-being.
Luke Marion, Oxford Bus Company interim managing director, said: “We’re proud to launch another charity branded bus into service as part of our community values.
“Our wrapped branded buses have helped several charities and so we extended the ‘Brand the Bus!’’ competition to offer a bus rear in addition to a whole vehicle. Be Free Young Carers is a vital local charity that supports so many unsung heroes in our community and it is fantastic to be able to help it spread its message further.”
Read more: Be Free Young Carers wins lottery funding
Sabiene North, CEO of Be Free Young Carers said: “There are at least 12,000 young carers in Oxfordshire supporting a parent or sibling. They are children fulfilling an adult role and missing out on childhood activities to care for a loved one.
“Having our brand on the bus, will make our charity visible to those that aren’t already registered with us and give those that are, a sense of belonging. We provide expert advice for anything young carer related in Oxfordshire and rely on people fundraising for us so local children can get the help and support that they need.
“This recognition of our charity will promote our services to those that need them. Thanks to Oxford Bus Company from all our staff, volunteers and young carers, this means so much.”
The bus company has previously backed Oxford Pride, Oxfordshire Prostate Cancer Support Group, Girl Guiding Oxfordshire, Home-Start Oxfordshire and Blue Skye Thinking with new liveries for buses.
Read more: Mental health charity Restore wins Brand the Bus
Restore was selected as the overall winner of the last competition by a judging panel from a top 10 group of good causes which had earned the most public votes from 23 original entries.
Be Free Young Carers won second prize, and Maggie’s and Read Easy Oxford won marketing support, including on-board digital advertising screens.
Read more from this author
This story was written by Andy Ffrench, he joined the team more than 20 years ago and now covers community news across Oxfordshire.
Get in touch with him by emailing: Andy.ffrench@newsquest.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter @OxMailAndyF
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here