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Britain’s kindest plumber James Anderson has been working his socks off helping countless vulnerable customers during the cost-of-living crisis. The father of six, 55, has been carrying out repairs free of charge or at a vastly reduced cost for the elderly and disabled. He runs a six-year-old community interest business called Depher and his generosity gained headlines after he helped a 91-year-old woman with acute leukaemia.

James posted on social media at the time: “No charge for this lady under any circumstances.

“We will be available 24 hours to help her and keep her as comfortable as possible.”

Since then, his 12-strong team has unsurprisingly been in huge demand.

He told the Daily Express: “We are helping around 25 customers a week. That is simply anyone who is struggling and needs our help – we don’t discriminate.

“The number is significantly higher now than it was this time last year as rising energy, food and fuel prices are making everyday life unmanageable for so many, particularly those on low incomes, with disabilities or elderly.”

The generous Mr Fixit added: “I don’t want any person, in this day and age, to die or suffer because of a cold home or a lack of funding to repair their boiler.

“It shouldn’t be happening. That number should be down to zero. Simple as that.”

James has also started a food bank, arranged parties for the children of cash-strapped parents and helped to supply the NHS and nursing homes with PPE during the pandemic.

The local hero plumber added: “Just four weeks ago, we turned our office into a food bank. People can visit once a week, 52 times a year, to collect 10 items for free.

“It has been a huge success, but it doesn’t come cheap.We see around 50 to 60 people a day and to feed this many costs me about £800 a week, but it’s worth every penny.”

Around 30 per cent of his firm’s funding is from donations, although he says it’s a constant struggle.

James’s efforts attracted the attention of Hollywood star Hugh Grant who donated £10,000 in 2021.

He called the British star of Notting Hill a “god” and added: “If I could rename Jesus, I would call him Hugh.”

The plumber from Burnley, Lancs, recalled helping one elderly woman whose bathroom was so mouldy it had mushrooms growing on the walls and she was forced to use a commode and wash in the kitchen sink.

James said: “She was referred to us by social services. It was a heartbreaking case. She desperately needed a new bathroom, for her own health, but just couldn’t afford it.

“We stepped in and took care of it. The job cost us about £9,000 but she received it for free. She didn’t have any family and we wouldn’t want anyone to take measures such as taking out loans or selling possessions.”

He added: “We need to act, look after each other. What kind of a world would this be if we don’t? What we do at Depher keeps me going and puts a smile on my facing knowing that, every day, we save lives.”

For more information or to donate, go to depher.com.

The charity has changed my life for the better, says Amey

A mother who lives around the corner from Depher said James changed her life for the better.

Amey Brooks-Richardson, 37, has been struggling to afford the basics ever since the cost-of-living crisis hit at the back end of 2021, not long after she gave birth to her son Lucas, now two.

She feels like she is being “constantly bombarded by costs” at the moment. But James and his charity have been a big help.

She said: “Since lockdown, Depher has provided me with online food shops – on average one every couple of months to keep my fridge, freezer and food cupboard stocked up.

“They have helped with ceiling repair work, plastering a small hole in the roof, fitting a power shower for me, fixing a leak in the kitchen, installing a new cooker and James is currently working on removing mould from my basement.

“He has also provided me with lots of nappies for Lucas as prices have become unmanageable.”

Amey added: “Trying to make sure I’ve got the essentials for my baby, with the little money I do have, is stressful.

“If I do need anything I have to walk to my local supermarket, which is a few miles away from my house and I have to take Lucas in his buggy because I can’t afford childcare.

“This trip would take a couple of hours in the freezing cold but I have no choice because I can’t afford corner shop prices.”

Amey first heard about Depher on Facebook, and reached out to James to see if he could help.

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