342:
On 16 May 2024, the BBC published an article detailing an investigation into DEPHER and
Anderson. This investigation reported instances of manipulation in social media posts, lack of consent from those being featured, and safety concerns regarding DEPHER’s operations from former employees. A
359:
Anderson has attracted considerable attention and controversy via his use of both personal and DEPHER social media accounts, including posting photos of customers without permission, and cases where photos and stories shared have been subsequently found to have been faked or altered.
383:
In
February 2024, Anderson revealed he purchased a house to rent out to his brother-in-law and father-in-law at a cost of £73,125. However, Anderson maintains that the house was purchased via “profits from paid work”.
273:
DEPHER was founded in March 2017 by James Ward
Anderson. 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.
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697:
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DEPHER rebranded to “Community
Plumbing and Heating Support” in January 2024. Then rebranding in February 2024 to DEPHER Community Plumbing and Heating Support CIC.
909:
752:
888:
407:, the CIC Regulator and the ICO as a result of accusations of wrongdoing. These accusations include “fixing” of a tombola in the Fundraising Shop,
281:, DEPHER gave vulnerable people free food, gas, and electricity. This stopped in 2023 due to DEPHER being unable to support an increase in demand.
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Disabled and
Elderly Plumbing and Heating Emergency Repair Community Plumbing & Heating CIC (since 20 February 2024)
644:"Lily Allen makes kind donation to Depher CIC as James Anderson prepares to collect Westminster British Citizen Award"
295:
In
November 2023 DEPHER began taking donations of furniture, clothing, and shoes for its fundraising shop in Burnley.
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317:
In
October 2023, Depher returned a donation from Tristan Tate following a social media backlash due to ongoing
512:"UK plumber has helped over 2,000 vulnerable families fix heating and plumbing during the pandemic for free"
403:
In May 2024, an article published by
Lancashire Live confirmed ongoing investigations into DEPHER by the
261:, Lancashire, England, that gives free plumbing and heating services to vulnerable people. It relies on
254:
67:
483:
806:"Hugh Grant Was a Major Donor for a U.K. Charity Now at Center of BBC Exposé for Scamming Patrons"
617:"Plumber providing free service puts help on hold due to soaring demand in cost of living crisis"
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and personal data breaches of DEPHER clients, as well as concerns surrounding DEPHER’s finances.
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698:"Depher CIC: Founder James Anderson to close food drive and open second-hand furniture store"
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889:"Charitable plumber handed ÂŁ75,000 by Hugh Grant at centre of race row over golly doll post"
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457:
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590:"'Britain's kindest plumber' inspired to save town after vile boiler scam on elderly man"
484:"Plumber goes viral after refusing to take payment for work from 91-year-old pensioner"
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910:"Regulator investigates social enterprise's fundraising practices after complaints"
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for services to volunteering and charitable giving. The award was later rescinded.
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936:"ICO statement as 'Britain's kindest plumber' slammed in bombshell documentary"
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Community
Plumbing & Heating Support CIC (5 January 2024–20 February 2024)
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In March 2024, Anderson uploaded a video to a new DEPHER CPH CIC Fundraising
133:
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458:"Cost of living: Burnley free plumbing charity sees 'massive' rise in calls"
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324:
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In April 2024, DEPHER suspended all fundraising via platforms such as
564:"Depher founder: "I was born in Liverpool, but Burnley has made me.""
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253:, (Disabled and Elderly Plumbing and Heating Emergency Repair) is a
863:"Plumber who 'helped people in need' admits making up some stories"
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in 2016 to his social media account and that he believes in the "
258:
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837:"James Anderson of Depher: 'Hero' plumber's firm faked stories"
537:"No charge for 91-year-old's boiler 'under any circumstances'"
43:
Northern
Plumbing and Heating Ltd (4 March 2017–6 August 2019)
265:, donations, and income from private jobs to fund its work.
753:"Burnley charity Depher returns donation from Tristan Tate"
672:"'Hero plumber' James Anderson has citizen award rescinded"
408:
396:
page detailing work ongoing with the CIC Regulator and the
327:
and Anna Eberstein have donated a total of ÂŁ75k to Depher.
779:"Hugh Grant donates ÂŁ20k to free Burnley plumbing service"
725:"Emmerdale star donates gifts from set to Depher charity"
587:
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209:
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Thomas, Ed; Wearn, Rebecca; Lee, Joseph (16 May 2024).
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345:
Scams & Scandals: Britain’s Hero Plumber Exposed,
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247:DEPHER Community Plumbing and Heating Support CIC
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338:BBC investigation and accusations of impropriety
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588:Antony Thrower; Fatima Aziz (29 January 2023).
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641:
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456:Holmes, Becky; Hobson, Judy (4 October 2022).
421:
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432:"DEPHER Community Plumbing & Heating CIC"
367:revealed that Anderson shared a picture of a
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670:Wearn, Rebecca; Thomas, Ed (17 May 2024).
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229:Depher CIC (28 April 2018–5 January 2024)
400:(ICO) regarding safeguarding processes.
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363:In December 2023, an investigation by
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967:British companies established in 2017
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482:Jack Beresford (17 September 2019).
388:Investigations by regulatory bodies
310:donated two photos from the set of
13:
696:Laura Longworth (6 October 2023).
562:Bayley, Rachel (14 January 2022).
284:In June 2023, Anderson received a
14:
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398:Information Commissioner’s Office
510:Kelsie Smith (17 January 2023).
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887:Ellie Muir (12 December 2023).
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642:Dominic Collis (27 June 2023).
16:Plumbing company in Burnley, UK
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1:
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347:was subsequently uploaded to
982:Community interest companies
908:Preston, Rob (16 May 2024).
861:Goodlad, Nat (16 May 2024).
301:
7:
934:Hughes, Ian (16 May 2024).
314:to raise funds for Depher.
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972:Companies based in Burnley
804:Ford, Lily (16 May 2024).
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255:Community Interest Company
68:Community interest company
343:31-minute report, titled
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240:Source: Companies House
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810:The Hollywood Reporter
405:Fundraising Regulator
290:Palace of Westminster
286:British Citizen Award
74:Registration no.
730:Lancashire Telegraph
249:, formerly known as
914:Civil Society Media
543:. 17 September 2019
379:2022 house purchase
355:Use of social media
163:James Ward Anderson
130: /
59:James Ward Anderson
21:
623:. 15 February 2023
134:53.7897°N 2.2396°W
19:
785:. 8 December 2023
334:and Crowdfunder.
279:COVID-19 pandemic
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153:Plumbing services
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306:In August 2023,
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263:crowdfunding
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100:, Lancashire
82:Headquarters
32:Abbreviation
573:23 February
349:BBC iPlayer
277:During the
195:(2022/2023)
183:(2022/2023)
171:(2022/2023)
137: /
113:Coordinates
40:Predecessor
961:Categories
940:Lancs Live
789:8 December
763:8 December
737:8 December
709:8 December
655:8 December
627:8 December
601:8 December
547:8 December
521:8 December
495:8 December
467:8 December
415:References
325:Hugh Grant
176:ÂŁ1,257,361
122:53°47′23″N
51:March 2017
312:Emmerdale
302:Donations
257:based in
181:Expenses
125:2°14′23″W
48:Formation
841:BBC News
783:BBC News
757:ITV News
676:BBC News
621:ITV News
541:BBC News
462:BBC News
394:Facebook
369:golliwog
332:GoFundMe
187:ÂŁ709,855
169:Revenue
159:Director
150:Products
90:Location
441:1 March
288:at the
269:History
259:Burnley
212:.cphcic
205:Website
98:Burnley
56:Founder
945:16 May
919:16 May
872:16 May
846:16 May
815:16 May
681:17 May
251:Depher
193:Staff
947:2024
921:2024
874:2024
848:2024
817:2024
791:2023
765:2023
739:2023
711:2023
683:2024
657:2023
629:2023
603:2023
575:2024
549:2023
523:2023
497:2023
469:2023
443:2024
409:GDPR
214:.com
64:Type
516:CNN
210:www
963::
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