LEADING Welsh transport provider Adventure Travel is asking passengers and colleagues to nominate a local good cause to become its inaugural ‘Charity of the Year’ and with it, its own dedicated bus throughout 2021.

Adventure Travel, formerly NAT Group, has donated thousands of pounds to different charities and good causes over the years, but this will be the first time it has selected a charity of the year to focus its fundraising efforts on.

Nominations received by January 4 will be shortlisted and put into an online vote for the public to choose the winner by January 22. The chosen charity will be announced on January 26. The elected ‘Adventure Travel Charity of the Year’ will benefit from a dedicated charity bus which will be seen across South Wales, with advertising displayed on the rear and inside the bus, with a commercial value of around £10,000. The winner will also benefit from regular fundraising activities organised by the bus and coach operator over the course of 12 months. The company will also provide PR support and regular mentions via its social media channels.

Adam Keen, Adventure Travel Managing Director, said: “Charities have had a particularly difficult year, with fundraising events cancelled and many have seen reductions in individual and corporate financial support.

“Like other businesses, we receive a huge number of charitable requests and whilst we try to offer support as much as we can, it is incredibly difficult to narrow down the applications. In response to this, and following suggestions from our colleagues, we decided to nominate a ‘Charity of the Year’ annually from January 2021 onwards.

“As well as hosting several fundraising events throughout the year, we will be giving up advertising space on one bus for our recognised charity to spread awareness of their cause. This would normally generate around £10,000 a year in revenue, making it a very valuable addition to the offer with real commercial value.”

To nominate a local good cause for Adventure Travel’s Charity of the Year, email [email protected]. To keep up to date with news and to help decide the winner when voting opens on January 8, follow @NatGroupLtd on Facebook. For further information visit www.natgroup.co.uk.

Adventure Travel will also be taking part in Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper day on Friday December 11, asking both passengers and team members to wear their festive knitwear. Charity boxes will be located across the three depos with posters going up on each of the 150 vehicles.