A mammoth 79 good causes have entered Oxford Bus Company’s Brand the Bus 2023 competition, making it a record to date.
This year Oxford Bus Company made it easier for good causes to enter and increased the prize via a partnership with JACKfm and the response has been unprecedented.
Some 79 entries have been made by local good causes and charities, a record number in the fifth year of the community-based competition.
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It is 56 more than last year and 39 more than the inaugural competition.
Brand the Bus offers people the chance to nominate their favourite good cause to be branded on a double-decker bus.
This year £20,000 worth of radio advertising with JACKfm was added to the first prize. JACKfm’s breakfast presenter Iain Lee’s face is currently on the rear of a bus - with the message it can be replaced by a more worthy cause.
There is now less than a month for people to vote on which good cause they believe should win. Public voting closes at 23.59 on New Year’s Day.
The 10 entries that are deemed best according to a public vote will be shortlisted and examined by a judging panel. Prizes will be awarded to the competitors who have, in the panel’s opinion, fulfilled the brief to the highest standard.
Luke Marion, Oxford Bus Company interim managing director, said: “We’ve been blown away by the response to this year’s Brand the Bus competition.
“To make the competition as accessible as possible we revamped the entry process and it’s made a real difference.
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“So many good causes have entered and it just demonstrates how many wonderful organisations there are in our community.
“Thanks to our partnership with JACKfm the prize pot is even more exciting and I’d encourage anyone who hasn’t yet cast their vote to take part and have a say in who wins.”
Steve Simms, JACKfm’s Programme Controller, said: “The strength of community spirit in Oxfordshire is amazing and the response to Brand the Bus demonstrates it in abundance.
“Please make sure you vote on which organisation should win and remember not only will it help a good cause it will also help get Iain’s face off the bus.”
Girl Guiding Oxfordshire won the inaugural 2019 Brand the Bus competition, Home-Start Oxford scooped first place in 2020 and Blue Skye Thinking won the 2021 contest. Abingdon Riding for the Disabled Association was also awarded the space on a bus rear as runners up in the 2021 competition.
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This year mental health charity Restore won first prize and Be Free Young Carers came second.
For more details and to enter please visit here: https://www.oxfordbus.co.uk/brand-bus
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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
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