A plumber said he nearly bankrupted himself by carrying out works for 3,000 elderly and vulnerable people free of charge.

James Anderson, from Burnley, UK, went viral earlier this week after his £0.00 bill for buying and installing a new boiler for a 91-year-old woman was shared online.



Mr Anderson's £0.00 bill for an elderly customer went viral this week. Credit: SWNS

The 52-year-old - who runs not-for-profit plumbing firm Depher - said his generous practices that have helped so many put him on the brink of bankruptcy in the past.

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He said: "I was on the verge of it all falling apart but I pulled it back and continued with the fight.

"One day, I would love to make my company national. I would love for there to be a helpline that anyone over 65 or who is disabled can call and would be able to receive free plumbing.

"It would be great if we could get some government funding. A national helpline would be the dream."

The invoice that earned Mr Anderson earlier this week read: "Callout to Boiler high pressure and two leaks... lady is 91 years of age acute leukaemia end of life care.

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"Amount 0.00.

"No charge for this lady under any circumstances. We will be available 24 hour to help her and keep her as comfortable as possible.

"Depher CIC."

Mr Anderson hopes to get government funding to support his initiative. Credit: SWNS

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Explaining why the back story to the bill, Mr Anderson said: "She deserved it. She was a lovely lady.

"Her daughter contacted us as she was terrified her mum would be without hot water as the weather is getting colder. As soon as she told me the situation, we said she would not be spending a penny under any circumstances.

"She'll be on our books forever. For as long as she's with us, she'll be getting free heating and plumbing services for life."

Mr Anderson offers the majority of customers a 25 percent discount during the spring and summer, but charges nothing at all for his services during the more difficult winter months. He said he was inspired to set up the enterprise when he was asked to look at an elderly man's boiler for a second opinion, after another plumber quoted £5,500 for a new one.

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He said: "I looked at it and he definitely didn't need a new boiler. It just needed a fix up.