Everyone needs money nowadays. With the rising prices, workers are scrambling to earn some cash whenever possible. Some have been ruthless about their methods, extorting money whenever they get the chance. Others, on the other hand, choose to take the high road.
It’s now rare to see a truly honest person, one whose main goal is to simply help those in need. These people are a rare find, and when we get to see acts of kindness, it’s best to recognize them. Perhaps they can inspire the rest to follow in their footsteps.
A plumber that hails from England has been considered as a modern day hero. He has always imbibed the spirit of charity, and he has also founded a social enterprise that has been able to help more than two million of the UK’s most vulnerable citizens.
Meet James Anderson, a 54 year-old plumber who runs DEPHER. This is a community interest company whose main goal is to provide heavily subsidized services for the those who are trying to keep up with the rising cost of living. They have been able to provide as much as 54 percent of help since the first week of April.
DEPHER stands for Disabled & Elderly Plumbing and Heating Emergency Repairs. They have also extended help for those who cannot afford to pay their important bills. They offer a variety of services such as offering emergency plumbing and heating services, delivering food parcels, and covering funeral payments. The plumbers of DEPHER have certainly done a lot for the community they live in.
In the past six years, Anderson and his team had been based in Burnley. They have extended help to more than 52,000 families. This is around two million folks across the U.K. “[W]hat we try to do is help people realize there is somebody out there who will help them,” said Anderson.
Anderson is a father of six and grandfather of 4. He has been called “Britain’s kindest plumber,” and an example of his charity went viral early last week when he helped vulnerable people from freezing at home in the midst of winter.
“Today I was asked to help a 78-year-old lady, her card was refused because she only had £6.97 in her bank, the ENERGY COMPANY TOOK £765.89 out this morning,” James tweeted. What DEPHER did was step in and only covered the elderly woman’s shopping costs as well as get the help of the energy company to provide her with a full refund.
Anderson’s idea to launch this catch all social enterprise happened when he went to work one day to a gentleman’s house in his hometown of Burnley, in Lancashire. The man living at home had asked him to check the boiler after he had received a £5,500 quote from another company the old man had called.
“This company had tried to scam this guy for thousands of pounds he didn’t have, for work that he certainly did not need,” Anderson said when he was asked about the experience. “This guy was elderly and bed-bound— he was in an extremely vulnerable position. We stepped in and dealt with the company and gave the guy a £1,000 free boiler.”
“I just remember thinking something needs to be done about this,” James stated. “This happens to so many people, and I thought if I could help just one at a time, I would be doing some good.”
Since then, DEPHER now has a total of 13 employees who serve the many people around the country. “His kindness has saved me, in many ways reminding me of the old days,” said Margaret. She is a 90-year-old pensioner who became a recipient of DEPHER’s assistance.
A GoFundMe set up to prepare for the winter season has already received an impressive £63,610. Their goal of £100,000 is almost fulfilled, and it is with home that more kind-hearted individuals can actually go out of their way to help those who need it most.
“The more money we get, the more money people have for their bills and to pay for food,” said Anderson. Kudos must be given to Anderson and his team of charitable people.
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