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Depher Community Plumbing and Heating Support CIC, formerly known as Depher, (Disabled and Elderly Plumbing and Heating Emergency Repair) is a Community Interest Company based in Burnley, Lancashire, England, that gives free plumbing and heating services to vulnerable people.[2] It relies on crowdfunding, donations, and income from private jobs to fund its work.[3][4]
Depher Community Plumbing & Heating CIC (since 20 February 2024) | |
| Abbreviation | DEPHER CPH CIC |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Northern Plumbing and Heating Ltd (4 March 2017–6 August 2019) |
| Formation | March 2017 |
| Founder | James Ward Anderson |
| Type | Community interest company |
| Registration no. | Company 11335052 |
| Headquarters | 24 Keirby Walk |
| Location |
|
| Coordinates | 53°47′23″N 2°14′23″W / 53.7897°N 2.2396°W |
| Products | Plumbing services |
Director | James Ward Anderson |
Revenue (2022/2023) | £1,257,361 |
| Expenses (2022/2023) | £709,855 |
Staff (2022/2023) | 13 |
| Website | www |
Formerly called |
|
| Source: Companies House[1] | |
History edit
Depher was founded in March 2017 by James Ward Anderson.[5] Anderson was inspired to help people after he visited an elderly man whose boiler had been tampered with in an attempt to make him pay for a replacement.[6]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Depher gave vulnerable people free food, gas, and electricity.[7] This stopped in 2023 due to Depher being unable to support an increase in demand.[8]
In June 2023, Anderson received a British Citizen Award at the Palace of Westminster for services to volunteering and charitable giving.[9]
In November 2023 Depher began taking donations of furniture, clothing, and shoes.[10] In December of the same year, an investigation by The Independent revealed that Anderson shared a picture of a golliwog in 2016 and believes in the "All Lives Matter" sentiment. Anderson denied that either he or Depher were racist.[11]
Depher rebranded to “Community Plumbing and Heating Support” in January 2024. As explained in a post on X, the rebrand was as a result of “many thinking we only supported the disabled and elderly”.[1] As of 20th February 2024, the company changed its name again to DEPHER Community Plumbing and Heating Support CIC. [2]
Donations edit
In August 2023, Samantha Giles donated two photos from the set of Emmerdale to raise funds for Depher.[12]
In October 2023, Depher returned a donation from Tristan Tate following a social media backlash due to ongoing criminal investigations.[13]
Hugh Grant and Anna Eberstein have donated a total of £75k to Depher.[14]
References edit
- ^ "DEPHER Community Plumbing & Heating CIC". Companies House. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ "Cost of living: Burnley free plumbing charity sees 'massive' rise in calls". BBC News. 4 October 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ Jack Beresford (17 September 2019). "Plumber goes viral after refusing to take payment for work from 91-year-old pensioner". The Irish Post. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ Kelsie Smith (17 January 2023). "UK plumber has helped over 2,000 vulnerable families fix heating and plumbing during the pandemic for free". CNN. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ "No charge for 91-year-old's boiler 'under any circumstances'". BBC News. 17 September 2019. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ Bayley, Rachel (14 January 2022). "Depher founder: "I was born in Liverpool, but Burnley has made me."". Burnley.co.uk. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- ^ Antony Thrower; Fatima Aziz (29 January 2023). "'Britain's kindest plumber' inspired to save town after vile boiler scam on elderly man". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ "Plumber providing free service puts help on hold due to soaring demand in cost of living crisis". ITV News. 15 February 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ Dominic Collis (27 June 2023). "Lily Allen makes kind donation to Depher CIC as James Anderson prepares to collect Westminster British Citizen Award". Burnley Express. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ Laura Longworth (6 October 2023). "Depher CIC: Founder James Anderson to close food drive and open second-hand furniture store". Burnley Express. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ Ellie Muir (12 December 2023). "Charitable plumber handed £75,000 by Hugh Grant at centre of race row over golly doll post". The Independent.
- ^ "Emmerdale star donates gifts from set to Depher charity". Lancashire Telegraph. 18 August 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ "Burnley charity Depher returns donation from Tristan Tate". ITV News. 2 October 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ "Hugh Grant donates £20k to free Burnley plumbing service". BBC News. 8 December 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.