A company run by a man previously hailed as Britain’s “kindest plumber” for helping vulnerable customers misled donors and engaged in “controversial fundraising”, a watchdog has found. James Anderson, a plumber from Burnley, Lancashire, founded community interest company (CIC) Depher and shot to fame online for fixing needy customers’ boilers for free.
Actor Hugh Grant donated £75,000 to the company, which had pledged to help elderly people and those in financial need with free plumbing tasks. Emmerdale actress Samantha Giles and singer Lily Allen also made donations. The company raised at least £2million in donations. An elderly couple given a new boiler for free likened Mr Anderson to an “angel in disguise”.
The late Queen and King Charles both sent him thank-you letters. Mr Anderson also received a Pride of Manchester award.
But last year, a BBC investigation saw the CIC accused of faking stories of good deeds to raise millions of pounds. The broadcaster alleged it had used images of vulnerable people without their consent and faked stories about acts of kindness.
In response, Mr Anderson said he “held (his) hands up” about mistakes made by the company, but had also complained to the communications regulator Ofcom over the BBC investigation. He claimed online trolls had “doctored” images and he was being “set up in a witch hunt”.
He told the broadcaster: “I know I’ve done it wrong. I apologise. But what can I do? I haven’t got a magic stick. I’m not Harry Potter.”
After the BBC investigation, Mr Anderson was stripped of a British Citizen award.
A separate investigation into Depher launched in April 2024 by the Fundraising Regulator has found multiple breaches of the code of fundraising practice, including around informing donors and treating people fairly.
The findings, published on Wednesday, included misleading use of images on social media, with pictures of the same people alongside different stories.
There was also said to be “controversial fundraising”, with “frequent reference to potential death or death from suicide in its materials”.
The purpose of donations raised for the CIC was also deemed “inconsistent”, with some suggested to be for a specific purpose and others for general use.
The Fundraising Regulator noted donations to the organisation had been used to buy a house but said decisions around how money is used lie with a different regulator.
The CIC Regulator, which the Fundraising Regulator is sharing its findings with, said it had noted the findings but would not confirm whether it was carrying out its own investigation.
A spokesperson said: “Any complaints regarding CICs are taken seriously and if a breach in CIC legislation is identified, then appropriate regulatory action will be considered.
“The regulator would expect all CICs to comply with any legal obligations or regulations to which they are subject whilst they deliver benefit to the communities they serve.”
Depher had applied three times to the Charity Commission to be registered as a charity but was rejected for having failed to demonstrate it met the necessary legal criteria set out by charity law.
The Fundraising Regulator said Depher Community Plumbing and Heating CIC is no longer operating and Mr Anderson had stepped down.
But it said its successor organisation – Community Elder and Disabled Support CIC – should adopt the regulator’s recommendations.
These include seeking advice about its fundraising activities, ensuring there is clarity for potential donors about the purpose of their donation and the aims of the CIC. The successor company should also make sure it has an appropriate plan to learn from complaints and concerns.
Gerald Oppenheim, Chief Executive of the Fundraising Regulator, said it took into account the fact Depher was a small company which had “experienced rapid growth after media exposure.
But he said it was clear Depher made serious errors in its fundraising activities. He said all such organisations must be “scrupulously honest in their fundraising”, case studies should be “a truthful representation of the facts and properly evidenced”, with those involved “fully informed of how their likenesses and stories will be used and must have the option to refuse permission”.
He also warned money raised for a particular purpose or appeal “must be used in that way”. Mr Oppenheim said: “Our investigations are published so that other organisations can learn from them.
“Depher’s successor organisation, Community Elderly and Disabled Support CIC should adopt the recommendations we have made.”
Depher and Community Elderly and Disabled Support CIC were approached for comment.