'An angel in the park': Customers rally around Iranian barista

"You just realise that this man, he's just like a little angel, like God's angel really. He's so kind," says Mandy Scott Johnson.

It's high praise for anyone, but perhaps not what you'd expect for a coffee seller in a park.

Customers of Thirst for All, a coffee stand in Crane Park in Twickenham, west London, say its owner - Diaco Yari - is a shining light in their local community.

Diaco, who came to the UK from Iran nine years ago, feels the same about his customers, and was bowled over when they Crowdfunded to support him after he was assaulted and robbed for his takings a few weeks ago.

To make the attack worse, it took place on Diaco's birthday in February, and left him with a broken tooth.

His customers, including one who credits Diaco for actually saving his life, were horrified at what had happened, and raised £3,000 to replace his takings and help him set up security systems.

Mandy sits beside the cafe caravan with a coffee and is accompanied by her curly grey-haired canine friend, Walter.

They (well, mainly Mandy) set up the Crowdfunder to help Diaco.

"He can now see his value and his worth and I think that's so important to a human being," she said.

"I just wish him so well because he is so important to us all you know, especially Walter!"

For Diaco, the community have provided a home away from home.

Back in Iran, he says his cousin is recovering after being shot during recent demonstrations.

He has had only sporadic contact with his family for months and says there is daily uncertainty and fear since the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran.

In Iran, Diaco says he worked in the television industry, making content that was critical of the regime.

Diaco described it as being "a voice for the people who want to have their freedom".

But, nine years ago he was to leave that, and his family, behind.

He describes his customers in Crane Park as family now, and in one case, even calls one customer "Dad".

Peter Lund and his late wife Andrea informally "adopted" Diaco when they grew to know him and love him.

"My wife used to come here, she had a mobility scooter because she was very disabled and was quite ill," Peter explains, holding back tears.

"She adopted Diaco as a son because his family were in Iran, she called him a son, so he started calling me Dad. I just met so many people here since, the dog walkers are all brilliant."

After Andrea died in September, Diaco helped carry her coffin at her funeral.

It was his way to give back to the community, and to the woman who had supported him so much.

"You know [the customers] give me that confidence to be strong," Diaco said.

"They tell me: 'It's going to be OK - good things can happen - it just maybe takes a little bit time.'

"Everyone is talking to me you know, when I'm sad, they are coming and giving me a hug."

For Brian Theobold, Diaco is quite literally a lifesaver.

While out walking his dog Ethel beside the river, she unexpectedly fell in. Brian panicked and jumped in after her.

Brian can smile about it now, but when he tells the story, it's clear it was a traumatic moment.

"Well Ethel only has one eye," Brian explained.

"I saw her on the edge of the bank, she put her foot down and disappeared in the water. I jumped in after her. Then Diaco stripped down to his underpants, jumped in, got his arms around my legs and pushed me up and two blokes pulled me out."

It's not what anyone would expect a barista to do, and Brian can still hardly believe it himself: "He is a fantastic guy. He does everything for you," he said.

Despite the incredible connection between Diaco and his local community, the future is not certain for him, his customers explained.

A change in land ownership has raised questions over his ability to keep his cafe caravan business there.

"If we lost this caravan for any reason I'd be absolutely devastated," Peter said.

"We cannot lose him. Everybody is worried about it. You know you just come here, you have a chat with him, he talks about his family you can talk to him about anything. And he brings everybody together."

The customers of Thirst for All say they will once again come together to save Diaco, if it is needed.

For Diaco, the support is everything, and he says this piece of west London is "a little bit of heaven".

"It's lovely, it's community, yes, it's love, really it's love."

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