British plumber James Anderson and his acts of kindness are being recognized worldwide after he helped a 91-year-old woman with leukaemia.
By: Heather Newgen | Twitter: @hnvoluntourist
James Anderson is being applauded for his good will and heart of gold after he billed his customer $0 for replacing her boiler. The invoice, which was initially shared on Facebook by Christine Rowlands, the woman’s daughter, read ‘No charge for this lady under any circumstances. We will be available 24 hours to help her and keep her as comfortable as possible.’
"I do it because I care and they all deserve the respect and love for the world they have built for us all to enjoy. No person who is elderly or disabled should be allowed to suffer or die in a world that is so rich and advanced, they will not and should not," Anderson exclusively told The Voluntourist in an email interview.
But this isn’t the first time he’s helped others. When he got a call from a customer who had been swindled from another plumber, he jumped into action. He created his own company to assist as many people as possible for free.
"Depher started in 2017 when an elderly gentleman was nearly scammed out of £5,500 pounds for a boiler he did not need. He rang Northern Plumbing and Heating Ltd (me) for a second opinion. I found what the other engineer had done and dealt with it fast, got the boiler working again and [I got] the company to compensate the elderly gentleman,"he revealed.
Since starting Depher, Anderson has helped 2389 elderly and disabled people in the community, but at a cost. He’s racked up about £8,000 in personal debt from not charging his customers, but he doesn’t seem to mind.
"If I go without or owe to keep a person from suffering or dying then it is a price I will gladly pay a thousand times. They suffer in silence but I am the voice that will shout for them all, and I hope I am heard. Love may move your heart but humanity can move the mountain."
Depher relies on donations and crowdfunding and previously received £2,000 from the Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund, the Queen’s charity, but always needs more so Anderson can continue to help those who need it.