In early April 2017, our father and company founder, Roy, unfortunately lost his war against cancer. It was his third battle and even though he fought hard up until the very end, I don’t think he quite had the energy later in life to combat this horrible disease.

Dad spent time in Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI) with each of his battles; especially the last where he was at the BRI and Southmead Hospital (part of North Bristol NHS Trust) for a few months. He had such good things to say about all of the NHS staff – from the porters to the specialists – and received the most amazing care.

He had always been a huge supporter of Above & Beyond and the difference the charity makes to patients, their families and the staff at Bristol city centre hospitals. We will all need the hospitals at some point in our lives and Bristol Twenty – which remains a family-run business – felt that it would be better to support them now before it’s too late.

That is why we chose to work with Above & Beyond on our 21TEN – Roy Ireland Memorial Blend. £1 from every kilo sold is donated to the charity so by purchasing this special blend our customers help to make a real difference to patient care in our city.

Dad had simple tastes, but liked quality – especially when it came to his coffee. Great care has been taken so that the coffee stands as a testament to a great father and characterful company figurehead. The name itself – 21TEN – was carefully chosen to mark his date of birth rather than his passing. As we approach his birthday, it is the perfect time to look back on an eventful life and show support to this amazing charity.

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- By Rory Ireland, managing director of Bristol Twenty Tea & Coffee Co.