Hero plumber inspires copycat tradesman with free repairs for elderly and sick

A plumber’s selfless efforts to stop leaks and fix broken boilers for free in the homes of the elderly, sick and disabled - risking bankruptcy to do it - has won a global fan base and even inspired a copycat tradesman.

Burnley tradesman James Anderson became an internet sensation overnight after news broke that he had fixed a terminally-ill 91-year-old’s boiler for free.

On the receipt, Mr Anderson wrote: 'Callout to boiler. High pressure and two leaks. Lady is 91 years of age, acute leukaemia, end of life care.

'No charge for the lady under any circumstances. We will be available 24-hour to help her and keep her as comfortable as possible.'

After seeing the invoice, the woman’s daughter shared an image of it, prompting praise from across the world. A tweet about it from ProudDevonian went viral and has been liked over 117,300 times, attracting over 1,100 comments.

Gas engineer: 'I have been inspired'

The 52-year-old father of five’s selfless work has now inspired another tradesmen to follow in his footsteps.

Nathan Batten, a gas engineer from South Cumbria contacted Mr Anderson via Facebook to tell him: ‘I have been inspired by yourself so I contacted Macmillan Cancer Support to offer my help in a similar capacity to yourself.

‘Due to being a bit ill myself, I don’t have a great deal of money but I am happy to offer labour free of charge and for end of life care.

'I can carry some parts costs maybe.

‘If I can help you in anyway, please consider me at your service Sir, you’re a brilliant example to us all, thank you.’

Mr Anderson began running his not-for-profit plumbing firm Depher (Disabled and Elderly Plumbing and Heating Repairs) from his home in 2017. Since then he has fixed the heating and plumbing for more than 2,300 elderly and vulnerable people for free or at a massively-reduced rate.

But his move to not-for-profit work saw him fall into debts of around £8,000. He raises funds for his charitable business using crowdfunding and donations which allow him to help people across Lancashire.

The big-hearted plumber, who is originally from Liverpool, began Depher after seeing an elderly man treated badly by another engineer.

'I burst out crying then'

Remembering the heart-breaking reality of another elderly person’s struggle to live at home alone without heat, Mr Anderson said: “This still makes me cry today.

"I was at this lady’s and the boiler was knackered. She didn’t have any money, she had people dying in her family. She had come to the end of her tether and she had, when I walked in, a bowl on the table full of tablets.

"And this woman was 82 years of age and she even said to me [when] I walked in, ‘If you can’t do the boiler I’m just going to take them because I’ve had enough and I’ll be better off’.

“And I burst out crying then and I was going, ‘nah that’s not going to happen’. And I got in contact with the local Lord Mayor and I got in contact with Age Concern.

"The three of us come together and we got her a boiler the next day. And, do you know the lady is still here. I still see her. She’s still smiling.”

On the 19 September, Mr Anderson revealed that Baxi Heating had offered a free boiler, days after news of his famous zero-charge invoice went viral.

The plumber posted on Facebook: ‘We have been given a boiler for free by baxi heating because of our work with the elderly and disabled.

‘This boiler will be given to an elderly couple. The gent is 92 who is recovering from health issues. The lady is in her 80s and recovering two strokes.

‘As soon as the boiler arrives this boiler will be supplied and fitted for no cost at all. They will receive the following: 10 years warranty, filter, smart thermostat, labour. They live in a bungalow and are really struggling with life, health and costs.’

Mr Anderson hopes Depher will go nationwide but his enterprise relies on donations from the public. He also does paid plumbing jobs to subsidise the charity work.

With winter around the corner he is determined to help as many elderly as he can. He says of his charitable repair work: “I hope, I’m the person that can drive others to do it. .

“The elderly especially they helped create this country. They went through the problems that they went through when they were younger to give us what we’ve got.

“They’ve worked all their lives, they’ve paid taxes, they’ve paid VAT. Some of them have gone through the war, through depression and it’s not fair that they should just be put to one side.”

Depher's Crowdfunder page has so far raised over £36,000 for his enterprise. Some £2,000 was donated by the Duchy of Lancaster, the Queen's charity.

You can help Depher help more elderly, sick and disabled people by donating money at its Crowdfunder page by clicking here.

If you are interested in a home care job you can also visit homecare.co.uk's job section by clicking here