AFTER a year of rehabilitation having suffered from a stroke in 2021, Bakkavor colleague Raivis Andrejevs is overwhelmed by the support and generosity he has received from his Highbridge team.

In the months leading up to their long-awaited meeting since Raivis was admitted to a care home last year, members of the staff forum set about organising events to fundraise for Raivis’ recovery.

The team ran a number of fund-raising events, from hotdog parties, to organised raffles - with prizes donated by members of the team.

Colleagues from across Bakkavor sites also contributed with direct donations to the project.

Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News:

The aim of the fundraising events was to raise enough money to purchase an electric wheelchair for Raivis, to aid with his recovery by providing a means of self-mobility and independence – which in turn should bolster mental health over the coming months.

On July 5, the Bakkavor Desserts Highbridge team took Raivis out of the day and presented him with his brand-new eclectic wheelchair.

Electric wheelchairs allow their users to move around more freely and comfortably, without experiencing great deals of fatigue.

They are easy to use and provide a great deal of independence and security. Raivis Andrejevs, Bakkavor Dessert Highbridge, said: “I was already thrilled to bits just knowing that I was going to spend a day out with my friends from work – but they went above and beyond the extra mile with this amazing gift of an electric wheelchair.

“It’s been a difficult year and I am still recovering from everything that has happened, but to know that I am so supported and held by my friends and colleagues has really given me that extra boost I needed.

“Mobility is so important and sometimes we take these things for granted.
"I can’t tell you how grateful and overwhelmed I am by the support and encouragements from my amazing team." 

John Bowman, Bakkavor Desserts Highbridge, said: “Our team at Bakkavor Desserts Highbridge continues to blow us over with their incredible sense of support for one another.

“The initiative to get Raivis an electric wheelchair, all the fundraising events, it all came directly from the staff forum and they saw the whole project through to completion.

“At Bakkavor we have a real commitment to the wellbeing of our staff - both mental health and physical – and when we see staff going towards these types of incredible accolades it really affirms that commitment.

“We are all in it together and looking out for one another and are all wishing Raivis a strong and timely recovery.”