Plumber Took Job at 91-Year-Old Cancer Patient’s Home — What He Wrote on the Invoice Left Everyone Speechless
When a 91-year-old woman battling cancer called a local plumber to her home, she expected nothing more than a routine repair bill.
Instead, what she received left her and her family in stunned silence — and would soon capture the attention of millions online.
The man who walked into her home that day wasn’t just there to fix a broken boiler. He was there to change her life in a way she never could have imagined.
A Bill That Said Everything Without Asking for a Penny
After the job was done, the elderly woman’s daughter was handed the invoice. She looked down, confused. Instead of a total, there was a handwritten message:
“No charge for this lady under any circumstances. We will be available 24 hours to help her and keep her as comfortable as possible.”
No fine print. No catch. Just a simple promise from a stranger with a heart of gold.
The daughter shared a photo of the bill online. Within hours, it went viral — spreading across social media and news sites, and drawing messages of gratitude from around the world.
The Man Behind the Gesture
His name is James Anderson, a 52-year-old plumber from Burnley, England, and a father of five. But his story goes far beyond one act of kindness.
Burnley plumber James Anderson refuses to take payment from elderly woman https://t.co/rztAZFggC9
— 📣 Jonathan Shackleton #meritocracy 🇬🇧🇮🇪 (@Shackviral) September 17, 2019
James once ran a profitable plumbing business, but in 2017, he made a life-changing decision. He shut it down to launch Depher CIC — a non-profit providing free or low-cost plumbing and heating services for the elderly, disabled, and vulnerable.
Since then, he’s quietly been helping people who have no one else to turn to. Often, he pays for parts and labor out of his own pocket — even if it means going into debt.
“Debt is debt… I would rather owe someone money and know another person is alive, happy, and safe,” James explained.
Viral Kindness Brings New Hope
Before the viral post, James was struggling to keep his non-profit alive, carrying almost $10,000 in debt.
But the wave of support that followed changed everything. Donations poured in — over $100,000 — allowing Depher to continue and grow.
James now dreams of building a nationwide network of engineers who can provide emergency heating and plumbing services to vulnerable people year-round.
“In this day and age, no one should die or suffer because they can’t afford to fix a boiler. That number should be zero.”
More Than a Plumber
James Anderson isn’t just fixing pipes — he’s fixing something deeper. At a time when kindness can feel in short supply, his actions have reignited hope in strangers all over the world.
And maybe, just maybe, his story will inspire others to look for ways to make someone else’s life a little warmer.
If you were moved by James’s incredible act of kindness, share his story. The more people who know, the more help will reach those who need it most.
