James Anderson, 53, of Burnley, a town in Lancashire, England, has provided over 2,000 free emergency repair services for the disabled and elderly community during the pandemic, he told CNN.
Anderson, a plumber with over 21 years of experience, set out to protect and care for vulnerable individuals in need of emergency repairs, after he witnessed a disabled and elderly man get cheated out of 5,500 pounds for a repair job that he didn’t need, he told CNN.
“We basically deliver a lifeline to anybody who is elderly disabled and vulnerable of any age,” said Anderson.
“I do it because it makes me feel gooey inside,” said Anderson. “To help people to live a lot longer and help them not suffer.”
In the future, Anderson hopes to expand DEPHER to cities throughout the world so that all elderly and disabled individuals have access to free emergency repair services in their communities. But for now, he says there are three things we need to focus on during and after the pandemic.
“Community, family, and love. That’s what we need now, ” said Anderson. “We need them things now all over the world and people need to do it.”