WHEN a staff member was diagnosed with a brain tumour, APS Produce (Wight Salads) embarked on a fundraising campaign to support the charity who offered so much support.

Kristaps Lazdans, 32, was diagnosed in December 2017 and underwent extensive surgery in June 2018, to remove the tumour.

After an initial stay in neurological intensive care, he remained in hospital and then a rehabilitation unit in Southampton for four months, and throughout this time he and his partner Lelde were supported by Isle of Wight charity The Wight Brainy Bunch.

They funded travel and accommodation for Lelde, to enable her to remain by Kristaps' side.

Kristaps and Lelde are both employees at the Arreton-based company, the UK’s largest supplier of British tomatoes.

The Wight Brainy Bunch was the company’s charity of the year for 2018 and staff undertook a series of fundraising events including cake sales, Christmas jumper day, a football match and collecting donations at the Garlic Festival with mascot Harry the Hippo.

They raised a total of £1,825.

Nicky Richardson, of APS Produce, said: "Kristaps has been working with us for a number of years as a crop worker which is a very physical job and the only symptom he had was loss of hearing in one ear.

"It was only on further investigation that the brain tumour was diagnosed and Kristaps continued to work up until the day before his operation.

"We were shocked by Kristaps' diagnosis and desperately wanted to help him, Lelde and others in this situation."

Kristaps has now returned to work on a phased return.

The Wight Brainy Bunch was set up by Ryde firefighter Mark Grimes and his wife Kathryn, following Mark's own diagnosis of a brain tumour in 2015.

The charity provides emotional support and financial assistance to other IW families facing the diagnosis.

Kathryn said: "Kristaps underwent a huge operation to remove his tumour, and his recovery has been a long and difficult road.

"Initially he was unable to swallow or walk, he suffered nerve damage to his face and was fed by a tube for many weeks.

"To see how far he has come is incredible and we are delighted we could help keep Lelde by his side throughout his treatment.

"The support from all the staff at APS has been incredible and we are so grateful to them all.”

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