A plumber is melting the world’s hearts after it was revealed he fixes pipes and boilers for vulnerable customers without any charge.
James Anderson, 52, says he’s helped thousands of people in need since closing his private business and re-launching as not -for-profit company, Depher.
His generosity came to the fore after a bill was posted online showing he charged a 91 – year-old woman with acute leukaemia £ 0.
The father-of-five from Burnley wrote: ‘No charge for this lady under any circumstances. We will be available 24 hours to help her and keep her as comfortable as possible. ’
Speaking about the positive public reaction, James said: ‘We didn’t expect it. It’s been everywhere. ’
He raises money usingcrowdfunding and donationsand helps people across Lancashire.
James said he was inspired to wind down his private work and begin Depher after seeing an elderly man poorly treated by another engineer.
Since 2017, he has provided free or lower-cost plumbing to those in need throughout winters.
He claims the switch to not-for-profit work has seen him fall in to debts of around £ 8, 000, although he insists the shortfall is under control.
‘A lot of people close to me ask: why are you getting yourself in to debt? Why are you doing this?
‘To me, debt is debt… I would rather owe some money to somebody and another person be alive and happy and safe.
‘It’s an ethos that’s in my heart and it will always stay there.’
Having helped locals in Lancashire over the past two winters, James is now hoping to take Depher’s work country-wide.
He said: ‘I’ve spoken to quite a few engineers around the country and they’re all for it… it’s just getting the funding.
‘I don’t want any person who is elderly and disabled in this country, in this day and age, to die or suffer because of a cold home or a lack of funding to repair the boiler.
‘It shouldn’t be happening – that number should be down to zero. Simple as that. ’
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