Burnley plumber’s good deed to help pensioners in need this winter – LancsLive

This winter is predicted to be the coldest the country has seen in decades, with some forecasters claiming it'll be the worst to hit the UK in 50 years.

The freezing temperatures are likely to have a big impact on one particular generation, with 92 per cent of the 50,000 excess winter deaths last year being among people over the age of 65.

One plumber in Lancashire is embracing the spirit of good will and is trying to do his part to combat this issue.

James Anderson, who lives in Burnley, has launched a winter campaign to provide free plumbing services to pensioners as the country prepares for the cold season.

The 52-year-old, who is a father of five, initially set up Depher after he visited another gentleman's property where another plumber had dismantled his heating system and charged 70 to do it.

Ever since then, he decided he wanted to do something to help these people who may be vulnerable and unable to afford such services. He has now helped over two thousand families.

James told LancsLive: "In 2017, I set upDepher, a community initiative to provide free plumbing to elderly and vulnerable people. We want to raise more funds throughout other parts of the UK over this coming winter. We are going into a very bad winter.

"Last winter over fifty thousand people died because of the cold weather and this year is set to be even harsher. Many elderly people struggle to pay their heating bills, and if their boiler goes, they might not be able to afford to get it fixed, meaning they are left freezing.

"I urge people to donate to our campaign so we can help as many vulnerable people as possible. We would also love to hear from any plumbers up and down the country who would like to join our scheme and volunteer their time. Please do get in touch if you want to get involved.

In September, LancsLive reported how the plumber had been praised for this incredibly kind gesture to a 91-year-old woman who has acute leukaemia by charging her nothing after her boiler broke.

James has also previously raised over 80,000 through crowdfunding and now wants to expand the scheme even wider to help those further afield. The network currently offers the service to people in Lancashire, Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham and Scotland and Depher is keen to recruit more plumbers throughout the UK.

Dephers plumbers give their labour for free and receive 30 through the scheme to cover their expenses. If any additional paid work comes about as a result, two per cent of the fee goes to Depher and is reinvested in the business.

"I get mixed reactions," James added. "Someone thought it as a TV show. We had one woman who said 'I have never had anything for free and I didn't know what to say'. There's a lot of good people out there who need the help but are too scared to ask.

"People can go on the Go Fund Me page and donate for winter, but what I would like to suggest doing is if we could get 30,000 people to all donate 1 a month per month they would not miss that and it would keep us going for ever. Then we can people whenever they need help.

"If people can't donate this is what I'd say to them:

"Please if you can't help, check on your neighbour or friend of family. If they need help tell them to go and give us a ring. We find someone.

"It's about the community."

People who have been helped by James Anderson have written letters of thanks to him and left comments on the Depher Facebook page.

Rochelle Ireland from Falkirk wrote: Hot water and heating werent working, and I was getting nowhere. My husband is disabled and I have a joint condition, as does our son.

"As soon as Depher heard our story, and the problems, they immediately agreed to help, even though we live in Falkirk, Central Scotland. Dread to think how long it would have taken us to get this sorted. Thank you doesnt cover it - you have taken a huge weight off at a very difficult time!

Since news of James generosity broke following a viral tweet, the Depher Facebook page has also been flooded with messages from around the world praising the initiative.

Tony Natola from Illinois wrote: God bless you, your crews and all of your families for being there and helping our elders in need while Winnie Diaz from Denmark described James as a great man with a wonderful heart of gold.

Those interested in donating to the campaign can visit the GoFundMe page here.

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Burnley plumber's good deed to help pensioners in need this winter - LancsLive