Hugh Grant gives £10,000 to plumbing charity for poor elderly and disabled

Actor Hugh Grant has donated £10,000 to a charity offering free plumbing and heating to the elderly and disabled and is thanked for saving 'many lives'.

James Anderson carries out free heating work for people who would struggle to afford it and set up his charity Depher (Disabled and Elderly Plumbing and Heating Emergency Repair) as a not-for-profit plumbing firm in 2017.

Mr Anderson says the actor’s large donation could buy 10 boilers for people. The donation was made to the charity’s GoFundMe page for its winter fundraising appeal, which has raised over £75,000.

James Anderson said at first he did not believe the donation came from the Hollywood actor.

“A donation off someone like Hugh is not just about the money, it’s about awareness – sharing and letting people know, showing the public and government the reality of what is going on.”

43,679 free emergency jobs

Burnley-based charity Depher has helped over 18,000 families since it was founded in 2017 and has completed 43,679 free emergency jobs for people who could not afford the cost including disabled and terminally ill.

As previously reported, the selfless plumber earned worldwide attention in 2019 after he refused to charge a 91-year-old customer with leukaemia for working on her boiler.

On the 91-year-old's 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.'

A tweet about the receipt went viral and was liked over 117,300 times and even inspired another tradesmen to follow in his footsteps.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson awarded Mr Anderson a Points of Light award on 6 August 2021. In a letter to Mr Anderson, Mr Johnson wrote: 'I was inspired to learn how you have used your professional skills to help over 16,000 vulnerable people with free emergency plumbing and heating services. It is a brilliant practical way of serving others.'

Last July, the kind-hearted plumber feared his charitable business may have to shut down by Christmas because of financial pressures caused by the pandemic.

His surprise upon realising the famous actor had donated to his charity led him to tweet his thanks to the star.

In a tweet about the donation, Mr Anderson posted: 'I would like to take this opportunity to thank @HackedOffHugh. 'Hugh Grant a very British Actor and inspirational person to millions has given hope to Thousands of Elderly, Vulnerable & Disabled members of our communities.

'Sir you have saved many lives.'

To donate to Mr Anderson’s GoFundMe, visit: www.gofundme.com/f/elderly-and-vulnerable-free-plumbing-heating