The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A woman who helped raise around half a million pounds for charity stopped off at her former work place on the way to her funeral to be applauded by former colleagues.
Pat Baxter worked at Bakkavor (formerly Geest) in Spalding for 39 years where she set up the Staff Shop which raised thousands for local charities and employee days out, including the company’s annual Family Fund weekend.
After the 70-year-old’s passing on St George’s Day following a stroke, her recent funeral procession stopped off at the company’s Spalding HQ where hundreds of former colleagues clapped her on the way to St Mary’s Church in Pinchbeck.
Pat already has a Spalding road named after her, Baxter’s Close, after she campaigned for better living conditions for those like herself living in Royce Road in the mid 80s.
Daughter Joanne Kirlew said: “She and a few others who decided they’d had enough of the poor living conditions and outside toilets so they started protesting to get better council homes.
“She was named “Prison Pledge Pat” by the media as she said she’d take it that far to get better conditions for the residents in the area.
“It worked as well. That was the start of mum realising she could make a difference.”
Pat also helped provide new terms and conditions for workers at Bakkavor where she began working as an operative on the night shift to earn money for family holidays.
She set up the staff shop up there with considerable profits from it going back into staff benefits or to particular local charity causes.
She moved up to manage the cabbage line and then to full time staff shop manager.
Her family say she was most proud of the Bakkavor Fun Day which continues to be a huge attraction in the town.
Pat was also a regular sight at the Tulip Parade on the Bakkavor float.
“She was unhappy if she didn’t take £1,000 a week profit in the shop,” said husband Alan who also helped out. “They think over the years she raised around £500,000 for charity.”
Pat’s charity efforts led to her being invited to Buckingham Palace for a garden party and she was awarded a Pride of South Holland award in 2015 before retiring in 2017.
Colleague Lynn Smith worked with her in the shop.
She said: “Pat was brilliant to work with. She called a spade a spade and took no prisoners but she was always there for me and many others and always on the phone.
The nan and great nan had lived in Pinchbeck for the last 21 years with Alan.
“She was really proud of everything she achieved, but she always said that everything was a team effort,” Joanne continued. “She took great pride in giving something back.”
Son John said: “Family meant everything to her and she would do anything for anybody. We’re incredibly proud of everything she did.”
Granddaughter Hollie Kirlew added: “Nan was everything you wanted in a nan. She would do anything for us and was just our world.
“I have moved to Liverpool and I think I spoke to her more after I’d moved.”
“She was brilliant,” added Alan.
