Liam Bridle was a bright spot in countless lives. It's easy to believe that people who met him just once would recall with huge positivity their chance encounter with a man who managed to be both 6 and a half foot tall and a ball of energy.

Another rare combination of traits he embodied was the ability to be at once a great listener, a skilled conversationalist, and a formidable raconteur. He'd listen with patience and consideration, happy to be either an understanding ear or, when able, offering advice and insight beyond his years. He'd converse with enthusiasm on any subject, always keen to learn new information or view new perspectives, as well as throw in whatever he was currently excited about from his voracious consumption of books and podcasts. And he'd hold court as well as anyone, recounting tales of grand misadventure or trivial fascination with equal gusto, all peppered with irreverent humour and delivered with delight.

Above all he was a man of great generosity and kindness, with a wonderful sense of the absurd, and a zest for life that was infectious.

He ran an independent bar and bottle shop, seeming to effortlessly combine the roles of cellarman, beer advisor, confidante, and consummate host, and managing the uncommon trifecta of boss, colleague, and friend. His influence on the place is unquestionable, and evidenced in the often heard customer question 'is Liam in?'. He left work at the end of May feeling a bit off colour, and was pronounced dead at Wythenshawe Hospital on the 17th of June.

He was 37. He is survived by both parents and his wife, who is expecting their first child in September. We are raising money to cover funeral costs. Any surplus will go towards providing what security we can for his unborn daughter.

If Liam touched you in any way and you can afford a donation, that would be greatly appreciated. If you have any memories to share when you donate, they would be most welcome.