CARDIFF LIFE AWARD WINNERS Daughter-dad duo Chloe and Jeff want to help people live kinder, healthier and happier lives
CARDIFF LIFE AWARDS 2020 BIGMOOSE ALL PHOTOS © @HIMALEE_ RUPESINGHE
Former Cardiff Devils star Jeff Smith launched bigmoose – a charity and non-profit coffee shop – as a legacy for his ice hockey friend Gary Cloonan (AKA ‘Moose’) who passed away while still young. The venture became a family affair; here, Jeff’s daughter, Chloe, who co-founded the project, tells us more… CAFÉ WINNER Congratulations on winning a Cardiff Life Award!
With the ceremony being online, we were unsure what to expect but it was so great and we loved being a part of it. When we heard our
name called, we couldn’t believe it! There were so many amazing businesses in our category so we were truly honoured to win.
those who struggle with their mental health, too.
Tell us a little about bigmoose…
Yes! My dad, me, my mum and sister are all involved.
The idea began in 2014 as a legacy for my dad’s best friend who we lost to cancer at aged 42. His name was Gary Cloonan, but Beautiful interiors he was nicknamed ‘Moose’ mirror bigmoose’s as he was a big, tall guy. Dad beautiful aims and Moose played ice hockey together; they had an amazing friendship, and when Moose died, Dad started bigmoose as a way of helping people to live happier, healthier and kinder lives. Tell us about the charity work you do…
We have worked with the homeless community of Cardiff, as well as with children with disabilities, and we do a lot of work with mental health. In 2018, we became a registered charity with our three-point plan of working with: homelessness, mental health and prevention of suicide. Our coffee shop is non-profit and is the trading entity off of the charity. We work to employ, train and mentor people who’ve experience homelessness and
It’s a really family-focused venture, isn’t it…
What do you think helped secure the Cardiff Life Award win?
We like to think that people are drawn towards our ethos of leaving the world better than we found it. Lots of people say that we are a safe space to go when the world gets too much.
How does being based in Cardiff benefit the work you do?
There is a real community feel in Cardiff and a lot of support for independents; it’s wonderful to see people changing their habits supporting us little guys. It really does mean the world to us. Any collaborations with other local businesses?
bigmoose’s ethos up in lights
Coffee Roasters – a small independent that supports survivors of modern-day slavery – and we work with Cole & Co who make our coffee-based candles. We also have all of our beer brewed by Boss Brewing.
We work closely with Manumit
Surprise us…
“OUR ETHOS IS TO LEAVE THE WORLD BETTER THAN WE FOUND IT”
For more: www.bigmoose.co and www.bigmoosecoffeecompany.co
Dad and I climbed Kilimanjaro together in 2010 when I was 15 and I became the youngest Welsh woman to summit! My dad then went on to summit mount Everest in 2017.
www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 61
