Sobell House has won Oxford Bus Company’s Brand the Bus competition, securing a prize package worth £100,000 during the hospice charity’s 50th anniversary year.
At a glance
| Winner | Sobell House |
| Competition | Oxford Bus Company’s Brand the Bus 2026 |
| Prize package | Worth £100,000 |
| What the charity wins | A full-wrap electric double-decker bus advert, onboard bus advertising, Get Radio advertising and Oxford City Football Club charity-of-choice status for 2026/27 |
| Public response | Almost 9,000 public votes were cast, with 71 entries submitted |
| Bus launch | Expected in autumn 2026 |
A charity providing specialist palliative and end of life care across Oxfordshire has been named the winner of Oxford Bus Company’s 2026 Brand the Bus competition.
Sobell House will have its work promoted on one of Oxford Bus Company’s electric double-decker buses after winning the annual contest, which helps raise awareness of local charities and good causes.
The bus will be given a full exterior wrap featuring the charity’s branding, with the design process expected to take place over the summer before the vehicle goes on the road in the autumn.
The win comes during a landmark year for Sobell House, which is marking 50 years of care in 2026.
What Sobell House has won
The £100,000 prize package includes a full-wrap advertisement on an Oxford Bus Company electric double-decker bus, free advertising on board Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel vehicles, radio advertising on Get Radio, and being named Oxford City Football Club’s charity of choice for the 2026/27 season.
Oxford Bus Company says almost 9,000 public votes were cast in this year’s competition, which attracted 71 entries from local charities and good causes.
The competition is now in its eighth year and has previously supported Oxfordshire organisations including Girlguiding Oxfordshire, Home-Start Oxfordshire, Blue Skye Thinking, Restore, SeeSaw, Oxford Hospitals Charity and One-Eighty.
Why the win matters to Sobell House
Sobell House provides specialist palliative and end of life care to adults living in Oxfordshire with life-limiting illnesses, as well as support for their families and loved ones.
The hospice says it cares for more than 4,500 people and their loved ones each year. Its services include inpatient care, home and hospital care, day services, therapies and emotional, practical and spiritual support.
Nikki Gracey, Relationship Fundraising Manager at Sobell House, said: “Thank you to everybody out there who voted for us. It’s the most brilliant news in our 50th year anniversary.
“This means so much. A lot of people in Oxfordshire know who we are and what we do, and a lot of people have experienced what we do, but for those who don’t know, it really gets the awareness out there.
“We need support and everybody working together to provide our services. We care for 4,500 people every year, and that’s increasing. It just means so much for the whole community.”
Winner announced live on air
The result was revealed on Friday morning by Get Radio breakfast show host Rich Smith, who surprised Sobell House by announcing the charity as winner live on air.
Hamish Law, Commercial Director at Get Radio, said: “Congratulations to Sobell House on being named the Brand the Bus winner.
“This is a testament to the incredible work the team does day in, day out to support people across Oxfordshire.
“At Get Radio, we were once again hugely impressed by the quality of their entry. Sobell House provides a vital service to the local community, and we couldn’t be more delighted to see them recognised in this way.”
Oxford City FC partnership
As part of the prize, Sobell House will also become Oxford City Football Club’s charity of choice for the 2026/27 season.
Chris Williams, Head of Partnerships at Oxford City, said choosing a winner had been difficult because of the number of local charities doing important work.
He said: “Sobell House help so many people across the Oxfordshire community and were this year’s outstanding candidates. Congratulations to the team and we look forward to working with them as our club partners for the coming year.”
Brand the Bus raises profile of local causes
Brand the Bus gives charities and good causes the chance to reach thousands of people across Oxfordshire through bus, radio and partner advertising.
Oxford Bus Company said the visibility of a branded bus travelling around Oxfordshire can help organisations reach new supporters, attract donations and raise awareness of their work.
Luke Marion, Managing Director of Oxford Bus Company, said: “Congratulations to Sobell House for being named as our eighth Brand the Bus winner.
“This year’s competition attracted a fantastic range of entries, so we also thank every other good cause which dedicated time to completing a submission. It truly hasn’t gone unnoticed.
“End of life care prompts a multitude of emotions, both for the patient and their loved ones. It is critical people have access to services such as Sobell House, to make compassionate care and bereavement support as comfortable and emotionally sensitive as possible.
“Many members of our own team have been touched by the extraordinary work of Sobell House, and it was heartwarming to hear how much winning this year’s competition meant to the charity live on air.”
About Sobell House
Sobell House was founded in 1976 and was one of the UK’s earliest modern hospices.
The hospice is based at the Churchill Hospital in Headington and is jointly funded by the NHS and Sobell House Hospice Charity. Its teams support people at the hospice, in Oxford’s hospitals and at home.
The charity says its wider support includes social work, chaplaincy, music and art therapy, transport, companion services and other help designed to support patients’ medical, emotional, practical and spiritual needs.
More information about the charity is available through the Sobell House website. Details of the competition are available through Oxford Bus Company’s Brand the Bus page.
FAQs
Who won Oxford Bus Company’s Brand the Bus 2026 competition?
Sobell House won the 2026 Brand the Bus competition.
What does Sobell House win?
The charity wins a £100,000 prize package including a full-wrap advert on an electric double-decker bus, onboard bus advertising, radio advertising on Get Radio and Oxford City Football Club charity-of-choice status for 2026/27.
When will the Sobell House bus be launched?
The branded bus is expected to launch in autumn 2026 after Sobell House works with Oxford Bus Company on the design.
What does Sobell House do?
Sobell House provides specialist palliative and end of life care to adults in Oxfordshire with life-limiting illnesses, as well as support for their families and loved ones.
How many people does Sobell House support?
Sobell House says it cares for more than 4,500 people and their loved ones each year.
How many organisations entered Brand the Bus this year?
Oxford Bus Company said the 2026 competition attracted 71 entries and almost 9,000 public votes.
