Lucky charity could potentially earn thousands as well as free advertising

Charities across Edinburgh and the Lothians are being invited to apply for a chance to become Lothian Buses’ first ever Charity of Choice as it launches a new two-year partnership scheme.

The company is looking for submissions from charities that work in areas supporting Lothian Buses’ corporate themes of accessibility, social inclusion, sustainable transport, environment, and health and well-being.

As part of the two-year arrangement the new Charity of Choice will have access to bus advertising, publicity for joint initiatives and the fundraising efforts of the company’s 2,000-strong workforce.

Richard Hall, managing director at Lothian Buses said: “We have a long history of being a champion for the communities we serve by supporting local charities but we want to take that to the next level.

"A two-year partnership will give us, and our chosen charity, an even better opportunity to make a difference to a shared cause. We want to take advantage of our position as one of the largest and most prominent employers in the city to benefit others.”

To be considered for the Lothian Buses Charity of Choice partnership, charities must complete and return their application form, along with a copy of their most recent annual report and accounts, by 31 August.

The application form is available from the Lothian Buses’s websiteand can be submitted by email or post.

The Charity of Choice will be announced at the Lothian Buses’ Staff Awards ceremony in November.

The scheme replaces its Charity of the Year partnership which launched in 2012 and which focussed on both raising funds and awareness of its chosen cause. This approach helped to ensure the organisation remained prominent across the city after the partnership ended.

In the last five years fundraising or donations-in-kind by Lothian Buses have exceeded £1,000,000.