Introducing our Charity of the Year 2026!

We are thrilled to announce that our Charity of the Year for 2026 will be Berkshire Search and Rescue Dogs. 

Berkshire Search and Rescue Dogs are a volunteer Lowland Rescue search dog team on call 24 hours a day, helping to assist other search and rescue teams including the police. 

Their primary role is to assist with helping locate lost or missing vulnerable people.

Berkshire Search and Rescue dogs were chosen after winning two-thirds of a vote held among our own employees.

Our partnership was formally announced at the Reading Buses depot on Wednesday 25 February, where a charity-branded bus was unveiled, which will help advertise and spread awareness of Berkshire Search and Rescue Dogs over the next 12 months.

Charity bus

As part of the charity partnership, Reading Buses have dedicated advertising space on one of their buses entirely to the charity. 

This bus is one of their “generic” buses, which means it will be seen on many routes across their network, helping spread their message all over ‘Bark’shire and beyond. 

The eye-catching artwork on both sides and the rear of the bus features two of their search and rescue dogs - Otto and Chester – but many more will be appearing on our social feeds over the next year!

Keep an eye out for it on their jet black 1 route in Newbury and Thatcham and if you spot it, be sure to tag us and the charity on social media to help raise awareness and support!

We’re looking forward to working together with the charity and our employees, customers, friends and families to help raise a generous sum of money for Berkshire Search and Rescue Dogs. Be sure to keep an eye out for some of our fundraising events and activities throughout the year.

Reading Buses annual open day

Highly anticipated and always entertaining, the annual Reading Buses Open Day will be returning once again in 2026!

Taking place on Sunday 28 June, it’s sure to be one of the best free days out in Berkshire this year, so be sure to add the date to your calendar. Keep an eye out for details on the Reading Buses website soon. 

All funds raised on the charity open day will go to Berkshire Search and Rescue dogs and their cause. 

To find out more about our new Charity of the Year, visit their website here.