Mole Valley Chamber Supports Surrey Blood Runners

Community, connection and real impact in Dorking

There was a warm, welcoming buzz at the latest Mole Valley Chamber networking breakfast at The Watermill in Dorking. With great coffee, lively conversation and a strong sense of community, the event brought local businesses together for something more meaningful than networking alone.

This month’s spotlight was on SERV Surrey & London, the volunteer-led charity better known as the blood runners Surrey network – and the impact they quietly make every single night.

£1,734.89 raised for SERV Surrey & London

Mole Valley Chamber members and visitors raised an impressive £1,734.89 through the Christmas breakfast charity raffle and the Chris Webb Memorial Charity Quiz Night held in February.

Chamber Vice-President, Graham Faulkner, was delighted to present a cheque to local SERVSL volunteers Gerry and Nic, who also delivered an insightful and engaging talk about their work.

This fundraising success highlights the strength of business networking in Dorking – where connections turn into real community support.

What do blood runners do?

Blood runners are volunteer drivers and riders who transport urgent medical supplies between hospitals.

These include:

• Blood and blood products (plasma and platelets)
• Urgent medical samples
• Donated breast milk for neonatal units

Learn more: https://servsl.org.uk/

Most importantly, they operate overnight (7pm–6am) – filling a critical gap when standard NHS transport services are unavailable.

“All we do is take boxes from one place, and we deliver them to another.”

Simple, but life-saving.

Why blood runners matter to local communities

Supporting the NHS out of hours

Hospitals don’t stop at night – and neither do emergencies. Blood runners ensure vital supplies arrive quickly when they’re needed most.

Saving lives quietly

While the service works behind the scenes, its impact is very real. During the talk, one attendee shared that the service had helped save their life – a moment that resonated across the room.

Powered entirely by volunteers

From drivers to controllers, the entire operation relies on volunteers giving their time and resources.

Key takeaways for local business owners

1. Community involvement builds stronger brands

Supporting local causes like SERV Surrey & London strengthens trust, visibility and reputation within the community.

2. Collaboration creates real impact

The Chamber’s fundraising success shows what happens when businesses come together – small contributions combine into meaningful results.

3. There are many ways to contribute

You don’t need specialist skills to help:

“We always need volunteers. Riders, drivers, fundraisers, controllers – there are lots of ways to get involved.”

Businesses can support through:

• Sponsorship
• Fundraising events
• Awareness and promotion

4. Purpose-driven networking is more powerful

Events like this go beyond transactional networking. They create shared purpose – which leads to stronger, longer-lasting relationships.

Behind the scenes: the scale of SERV Surrey & London

• 8,000+ deliveries per year
• Coverage across Surrey and London
• Operates mainly overnight
• Annual running cost of around £80,000
• Entirely volunteer-led

This is a highly organised, essential service – and one that depends on continued community support.

Get involved with Mole Valley Chamber

If you’re looking to connect with local businesses while supporting meaningful causes, Mole Valley Chamber events are a great place to start.

Upcoming events: https://molevalleychamber.co.uk/business-networking-events-in-surrey/

Learn more about SERVSL: https://servsl.org.uk/

From breakfast networking to community fundraising events, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved.

Final thoughts

This was more than just another networking breakfast. It was a reminder that local businesses have the power to support vital services, strengthen communities and make a genuine difference.

And occasionally… we hand over a cheque before 9:30am.

CHECKOUT MOLE VALLEY CHAMBER EVENTS HERE

Are you a local business in the Mole Valley District and interested in joining the chamber? Find out more here.