If you feel like your faith in humanity has been lost, fear not — 52-year-old plumber James Anderson is here to restore it. This remarkably generous man fixes boilers and heating systems for vulnerable people without charging them a penny.
He used to run a traditional plumbing business, which he shut down in order to create Depher, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping those most in need.
Although he had been working for free for some time, it wasn’t until recently that the story of his kindness spread across the country. The invoice he gave to a 91-year-old woman with acute leukemia — totaling zero dollars — was posted online by the woman’s daughter and quickly resonated with thousands of readers across social media.
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On the bill, James — a father of five — wrote: “No charge for this lady under any circumstances. We will be available 24 hours to help her and keep her as comfortable as possible.”
“A lot of people close to me ask: why are you getting yourself into debt? Why are you doing this?” he said.
“To me, debt is debt… I would rather owe some money to somebody and another person be alive and happy and safe.”
The invoice was shared widely on social media in September 2019, where it quickly resonated with thousands of readers moved by his compassion.
(Picture: PA)
Since he started providing free or low-cost plumbing for those in need in 2017, his debt has risen to around $9,940. But he believes that is nothing compared to the happiness of those he helps.
“It’s an ethos that’s in my heart and it will always stay there.”
More recently, he decided to invite other engineers to join his organization so that more vulnerable people could receive the help they desperately need.
“I’ve spoken to quite a few engineers around the country and they’re all for it… it’s just getting the funding,” he said.
“I don’t want any person who is elderly and disabled in this country, in this day and age, to die or suffer because of a cold home or a lack of funding to repair the boiler.”
“It shouldn’t be happening — that number should be down to zero. Simple as that.”
Since his invoice gained widespread attention, many people became familiar with his work and James was able to raise $100,000 in donations. He is no longer struggling to keep his nonprofit afloat.
In a world where selflessness can be hard to find, James Anderson stands as a powerful reminder that one person’s compassion truly can change lives — and that kindness, given freely, has a way of coming back around.
Source : This story was originally reported by Metro.co.uk on September 17, 2019. All facts, quotes, and details have been sourced and verified through their original publication.
