Brand the Bus Charity Competition with a £60,000 Prize

1 week ago Thu 28th Nov 2024

Brand the Bus is Coming to Buckinghamshire!

At Carousel Buses, we are excited to announce the launch of our new Brand the Bus competition in January 2025. This initiative is inspired by the tremendous success of the Brand the Bus competition organised by our sister companies, Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel, in Oxfordshire. With the invaluable support of our partners, Wycombe Sound and Wycombe Wanderers FC, the competition is set to provide local good causes and charities with an incredible chance to increase their impact through a £60,000 prize package.

What is Brand the Bus?

Brand the Bus is a unique competition that offers local charities and good causes the opportunity to have their brand and message prominently displayed on one of our buses for a period of 12 months. By participating, organisations can significantly boost their visibility and outreach efforts within the community. The competition not only supports local initiatives but also engages the public in highlighting and promoting these vital causes.

£60,000 Prize Package

The winning organisation will receive a prize package worth £60,000, including:

  • A year-long, full-wrap advertisement on one of our buses, elevating the organisation's brand visibility across Buckinghamshire and surrounding areas.
  • Advertising onboard Carousel Buses vehicles.
  • Radio advertising on Wycombe Sound, Buckinghamshire's local radio station.
  • Advertising package with Wycombe Wanderers FC.

How it Works

  1. Nominate Your Favourite Charity
    Starting on 1st January 2025, you can nominate your favourite local charity or good cause by completing a short online form. Tell us why your chosen charity should win the Brand the Bus competition and what winning would mean to them.
  2. Public Voting
    As soon as the charities have entered (from 1st January 2025), the public can start voting. We encourage you to share the entries widely to gain as many votes as possible. The more votes a charity receives, the better their chances of making it to the top 10 and advancing to the judging panel.
  3. Judging Panel
    The top 10 charities or good causes, as determined by public voting, will move on to the next stage. Here, a panel of experts will review the top entries and select the winner.
  4. Winner Announced
    The winning organisation will be announced in June 2025.
  5. Branded Bus and Advertising Benefits
    We will initiate marketing and design discussions with the winning charity to ensure their brand is effectively represented. Our goal is to have their branded bus on the streets of Buckinghamshire in September/October 2025.

Eligibility

To be eligible, charities and good causes must:

  • Have a local presence in Buckinghamshire or nearby surrounding area.
  • Benefit the local community

Key Dates

The competition will run from January to June 2025, with the following important dates:

  • Entry Opens: 1st January 2025
  • Entry Closes: 1st March 2025
  • Voting Closes: 1st April 2025
  • Top 10 Announced: May 2025
  • Judging Panel: June 2025
  • Winner Announced: June 2025
  • Branded Bus on the Road: September/October 2025

Why We’re Doing This

At Carousel Buses, we care deeply about the communities we serve. We believe in giving back and supporting local charities and good causes. By launching the Brand the Bus competition, we aim to empower the community to decide which organisation should benefit from this incredible prize.

Why It’s Important

The competition not only provides significant advertising opportunities for the winning charities but also raises public awareness about their causes. The visibility on a bus travelling around the streets of Buckinghamshire and surrounding areas helps these organisations reach a broader audience and attract more support or donations.

The £60,000 prize can have a significant impact on a local charity or good cause, allowing them to:

  • Provide essential services to those in need.
  • Launch new programs, initiatives and projects to address community needs.
  • Increase the reach and impact of the organisation.
  • Reduce financial burdens and ensure the organisation’s sustainability.

Winners of the Oxfordshire Brand the Bus

Want to find out more about the previous Brand the Bus winners in Oxfordshire? Here they are: 

About our fantastic partners

We’re excited to partner with Wycombe Sound and Wycombe Wanderers FC to bring this year's Brand the Bus competition to life. Their support helps us make a bigger impact on our community.

  • Wycombe Sound is a local radio station broadcasting across Buckinghamshire and the surrounding areas. With a diverse range of shows and music, Wycombe Sound is committed to entertaining and informing the local community.
  • Wycombe Wanderers FC is a professional football club based in High Wycombe. The club competes in League One and is a vital part of the local community.

Terms and Conditions

Click here to read Brand the Bus's terms and conditions for the 2025 competition.