Coffee With a Cause: Siblings Raise £2,000 for Hospice in Dad’s Memory
By Charities Correspondent
A brother and sister have turned heartbreak into hope after launching a coffee brand in memory of their late dad — and they’ve already raised £2,000 for charity.
Simon Smallwood, 37, and Steph Kelsey, 39, from Caerphilly created Rob’s Roast after their father Robin Smallwood passed away last year following a short but devastating battle with a rare and aggressive cancer.
The siblings pledged from the start that a share of every coffee sale would go to charity, including the hospice that cared for their dad during his final days.
They recently reached a major milestone by presenting a £2,000 cheque to St David’s Hospice Care.
From Devastating News to a Lasting Legacy
Robin, 76, had been healthy before he began suffering back pain towards the end of 2024. After medical tests, the family received the heartbreaking news that his illness could not be treated.
Just five months later, he passed away.
But during those final months, the family spent precious time together — often sitting down with cups of coffee while chatting, reminiscing and putting the world to rights.
It was during those conversations that they came up with a “legacy list”, and right at the top was a simple idea — creating a coffee in Robin’s name.
Rob Helped Create the Coffee
The idea soon became reality, with Robin himself even helping choose the final product.
He taste-tested different beans and shared his thoughts on the brand’s logo and design — making Rob’s Roast a true tribute to him.
Robin was well known in the local community. A former deputy headteacher at St Cenydd Comprehensive School, he was also a passionate rugby coach and anti-bullying ambassador who dedicated much of his life to helping others.
“We Wanted Something Positive”
Simon said the family wanted to turn their loss into something meaningful.
“Losing dad has been absolutely heartbreaking, but we were determined to turn something so awful into something positive,” he said.
“Dad loved sitting down with a coffee and having a proper chat. Because of his strength, we were lucky to have lots of those conversations, and that’s where the idea of Rob’s Roast really came from.”
What started as a heartfelt tribute has now grown into a small business — and a way to raise money for causes close to the family’s heart.
Giving Back to the Hospice
Steph said donating to the hospice that cared for their dad felt especially important.
“Dad spent the last week of his life at St David’s Hospice, and the care and compassion they showed him — and all of us — meant everything,” she said.
“In a strange but very special way, his final days there felt like our last family holiday together.”
The family say their dad had one simple message he wanted them to remember.
“He always said, ‘Celebrate my life, do not mourn my passing — keep smiling and farewell.’ That’s exactly what we’re trying to do with this.”
Helping Others Through Coffee
The coffee brand has recently launched its own website, allowing customers to buy Rob’s Roast online.
The siblings are also hoping to partner with local cafés and businesses as they grow — raising even more money for charities along the way.
And every cup sold will continue helping others — just as Robin would have wanted.
