THE Southampton office of national law firm Clarke Willmott LLP has chosen blood courier service SERV Wessex as its charity for the next year.

Staff at the law firm will raise money and awareness over the coming year for the "blood bikers" who provide a free out-of-hours transportation service for NHS Hospitals in the Wessex area.

The charity operates its service 365 days per year, between 7pm and 6am weekdays and round the clock at weekends and on public holidays.

Joseph Campbell (pictured) partner and head of CSR at Clarke Willmott’s Southampton office, said SERV Wessex was chosen from a shortlist of small, local charities nominated by staff.

“Clarke Willmott was keen to support SERV due to the charity’s commitment to saving the NHS money," he said.

“We were particularly impressed that all of SERV’s staff are full volunteers who even cover their own expenses, and felt that as a small, local charity they could do with some help in raising much needed funds.”

Staff at the Southampton office embarked on their first fundraising for SERV Wessex with a dress down day, an Easter bake sale and an Easter egg raffle.