A kind-hearted plumber in England has spent over £57,000 ($77,000) helping families in need since the start of the pandemic. James Anderson, who lives in the north of England, has come to the rescue of thousands of families that required to have their heating or plumbing fixed but who lacked the financial means to do so. Like everywhere else, millions of people in the UK have seen their incomes plummet as a result of job losses and the economic fallout of the pandemic.
While much of the money spent has come from Anderson's own pocket, he has also been receiving a large number of donations from well-wishers that want to make sure their fellow citizens don't go without heating. It is now estimated that Anderson and his team have assisted over 10,000 vulnerable households by fixing their heating and plumbing for free during the pandemic.
This isn't the first time though that Anderson has helped those in need. In 2017, he was outraged when he noticed an attempt by a plumbing company to scam an elderly man out of £5,500, that he set up Depher (Disabled and Elderly Plumbing and Heating Emergency Response). Depher has been working ever since to guarantee plumbing services to those most in need.
The team now works across Lancashire, Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham, and parts of Scotland.
"If you've got disabilities, issues, sometimes these things can become too difficult to overcome and we want to make sure they're taken care of. We've all got a social responsibility to each other – we need to be there for each other... The reaction from people has been so humbling and emotional for me."
It is no easy task though as Anderson in his team put in a huge number of hours to make sure everyone's homes are kept warm. He added:
"I work seven days a week, 70 hours a week. I haven't taken a single day off. I'll have enough rest when I'm dead."
It shouldn't be underestimated just how important the work of Anderson and his team is. Every year in the United Kingdom, hundreds of older people suffer and die from hypothermia as a result of poorly heated homes. An issue that becomes particularly acute at this time of year.
If you wish to contribute to Depher, you can donate on the GoFundMe page.
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