Over 1000 entries were received as part of the Valley Flyer 'Design-a-Butterfly' competition that was held in the Hutt Valley over the last four weeks.

The 'Design-a-Butterfly' competition asked people, including school children from the Hutt Valley, to design their own butterfly. The winning butterflies will be displayed on a new bus that is being launched as part of Valley Flyer's community partnership with the Gillies McIndoe Research Institute.

The Gillies McIndoe Research Institute, to be based at Hutt Hospital, will conduct research into reconstructive plastic surgery, helping change the lives of those living with disfiguring and sometimes life threatening medical conditions. The emblem of the Gillies McIndoe Research Institute is the butterfly, representing the transformations patients go through when they undergo reconstructive surgery.

Matthew Lear, General Manager of Valley Flyer, is delighted with the response to the competition. "Our goal in holding this competition was to help raise awareness of the Gillies McIndoe Research Institute, and the number of entries we received certainly indicates that the word is getting out there!" says Mr Lear.

"We had lots of entries from children, so it's great to think that this competition has meant children are also learning about this worthy community organisation," continues Mr Lear. "The calibre of entries we received was just so impressive. The bus will look fantastic with the winning entries displayed on the inside!"

The uniquely designed bus will hit the streets on 11 November and will help drive awareness of the work the Institute does. The winning butterflies will appear on the interior walls and ceilings of the bus.

The winning entries will be chosen by a panel of Valley Flyer bus drivers and the grand prize winner will not only have their design displayed on the bus but will also receive $1000 and 3 months free bus travel on all Valley Flyer bus services.

A further 10 entries will be chosen to feature on the bus and these winners will each receive a Snapper card loaded with $50.

The overall winner will be announced at the launch of the Valley Flyer - Gillies McIndoe Research Institute bus on Wednesday, 11 November.