While people say that good deeds don't go unpunished, James Anderson proved them wrong. The kind-hearted plumber recently went viral for fixing a 91-year-old cancer sufferer's boiler free of charge. As it turned out, this was not just a random act of kindness. Apparently, Anderson runs a non-profit which focuses on helping both elderly and disabled people with plumbing issues without having them pay anything.
The 'angel dressed as a plumber', as one of his grateful clients named him, didn't just receive attention and praise. People actually donated a staggering amount of money — £80,000 ($99,400) — to help him keep the good work. In return, Anderson is planning to begin offering free services across the whole country.
Image credits: Depheruk
In 2017, Anderson closed his private business and despite the risk of going bankrupt, he opened a non-profit company called Depher to help those in need. Since his initiative was created, he has provided free or discounted plumbing services to over 2,000 people in Lancashire.
But keeping an initiative like this alive is not easy and Anderson has to rely on crowdfunding and donations to keep it going.
Sadly, even the donations failed to cover all expenses and put Anderson in debt of around £8,000. But the man refused to let it bring him down.
"To me, debt is debt... I would rather owe some money to somebody and another person be alive and happy and safe," Anderson told The Sun.
But then the power of the internet came to the rescue. After going viral, people were eager not only to send their praises and support to the generous plumber, but they also donated as much money as they could.
People returned the kindness to the plumber and in over a week, £80,000 was crowdfunded. "I’m overwhelmed. It makes you realize how kind people are and how amazing our country is. I don’t think I’m doing anything particularly kind. I’m just doing what I feel is the right thing," he said.The kind act encouraged him to keep going and now, he plans to expand his services nation-wide.
"I've spoken to quite a few engineers around the country and they're all for it... it's just getting the funding. 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," the man told The Sun.
Here's how people reacted
