A Burnley charity helps elderly and disabled people with their emergency repairs for free during winter months – and is preparing for its busiest winter yet.
James Anderson, a local plumber from Burnley, founded ‘Depher’ – Disability and Elderly Plumbing and Heating Emergency Repair – in 2017.
Depher was created to help elderly, vulnerable and disabled people with their heating and plumbing repairs by covering the costs of labour and materials through public donations.
Since the launch of Depher five years ago, James has helped and supported over 17,000 people.
During the pandemic, he also branched out by distributing personal protective equipment and food to those who were vulnerable in his community.
Mr Anderson said: “In 2013, my son William passed away at 16 weeks old.
“Before he died, I sat with him and I said ‘I want to be the man that I knew you would’ve been, and I will do you proud, son’.
“Then in 2017, I went to a job for an elderly gentleman who was bed bound, and he was hopeless and he was helpless.
“It was that day I realised that the promise I made to William had to be taken forward… and that’s when I decided I can’t just leave this one gentleman’s story to be put in a cupboard somewhere and never remembered again.”
He wrote on Twitter yesterday that the coming winter was likely to be the busiest Depher had yet faced.
Hollywood movie star Hugh Grant has also donated over £47,000 to the charity’s GoFundMe in the past.
James hailed the Love Actually star as “God” after he donated a massive sum to the charity for the third time.
James said the funds came at a vital time with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
In 2021, James and Depher were awarded a Points of Light Award by the Office of the Prime Minister – honoured to individuals who demonstrate the transformative power of service.
In a letter to James, then-prime minister Boris Johnson wrote: “I was inspired to learn about how you have used your professional skills to help over 16,000 vulnerable people with free emergency plumbing and heating services.
“You have dedicated countless hours of your time and raised thousands of pounds to help those in need. It is a brilliantly practical way of serving others.”
Now with over 11,000 active members, Depher has been able to help people with work such as repairing gas leaks, fixing and installing boilers and heating systems, and providing running hot water to those without.
Receiving 70% of the vote, Depher also won the SGS Local Hero Award 2022 in May, which recognises and rewards individual tradespeople who have shown exceptional drive and determination for a cause.
Mr Anderson said: ”Ask people if they are okay and if they need anything…or give them our number and tell them to contact us.
“Just be there for people.”
To find out how you can donate, visit https://www.depher.com/donate/
