‘Britain’s kindest plumber’ misled the public with photos of vulnerable customers and engaged in ‘controversial fundraising’, a regulator found today.
James Anderson, from Burnley, Lancashire, became an Internet hero after sharing photos of himself fixing vulnerable customers’ boilers for free on behalf of his community interest company (CIC) Depher.
Hugh Grant was previously reported to have donated tens of thousands of pounds to the company, which had pledged to help elderly people and those in financial need with free plumbing tasks.
In 2022, an elderly couple given a new boiler for free likened Mr Anderson to an ‘angel in disguise’.
But, last year, a BBC investigation saw the organisation accused of faking stories of good deeds to raise millions of pounds, with the broadcaster saying the CIC had used images of vulnerable people without their consent and faked stories about acts of kindness.
In response to that investigation, Mr Anderson said he ‘held (his) hands up’ about mistakes made by the company, but added that he had complained to the communications regulator Ofcom over the broadcaster’s investigation, claiming online trolls had ‘doctored’ images and that he was being ‘set up in a witch hunt’.
Now an investigation – which was launched in April 2024 – into Depher 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 today, included that there had been misleading use of images on social media, with pictures of the same people alongside different stories, as well as an inability of the CIC, on multiple occasions, to ‘evidence claims made as part of its fundraising efforts’.
James Anderson was hailed as ‘Britain’s kindest plumber’ and received awards for his work helping vulnerable people before a BBC investigation claimed he used fake stories
Mr Anderson became known for his social media posts during the cost of living crisis
Mr Anderson was accused of making up claims he saved an 84-year-old woman from killing herself
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 organisation was also deemed ‘inconsistent’, with some suggested to be for a specific purpose and others for general use by the CIC.
The Fundraising Regulator noted that donations to the organisation had been used to buy a house but said decisions around how money is used lies 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 that 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.
His company Depher was said to have posted videos and photos of a man in his 90s more than 20 times
The plumber had his British Citizen Award rescinded after the charity said his actions did not align with their values
Hugh Grant (pictured) donated £75,000 to his public interest company, Depher
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 and making sure it has an appropriate plan to learn from complaints and concerns.
Gerald Oppenheim, chief executive of the Fundraising Regulator, said while it took into account the fact that Depher was a small company which had ‘experienced rapid growth after media exposure, it is nonetheless clear that it 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 that 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.’
In May, Mr Anderson gave a series of interviews responding to the allegations that had been made against him.
He apologised ‘to anyone who has been hurt by these accusations which have been made against me’ and for ‘any mistakes’ he’s made over the last seven years.
But when challenged by the BBC and GB News about the posts he’s allegedly faked, he didn’t give an explanation, but denied using the raised money for his own benefit.
However he told GB News: ‘I’m only human, I’m doing the best I can.
‘I think in hindsight I’ve done too much too quick on my own, instead of getting in other people to help me and support me. Saying that, it’s no excuse. But today has been very horrendous for me.’
Mr Anderson has been accused of mis-characterising on of his social media posts where he claimed to have saved a pensioner – even though the fireplace belonged to a 39-year-old father of two
The plumber was handed a British Citizen Award in 2023 before this was rescinded following the BBC story.
A spokesman said at the time: ‘We pride ourselves in recognising individuals across the UK who work tirelessly and selflessly to make a positive impact on their communities and charities.’
They added that the plumber’s actions didn’t reflect their values and confirmed his accolade had been rescinded.
The Fundraising Regulator said in its findings: ‘Depher CIC used the same images on social media multiple times to ask for donations. This is allowed; however, the images were not dated and the context given to the image changed each time.
‘This included using images of the same people but featuring different stories about them against them. We found this to be misleading. Additionally, on multiple occasions the CIC was not able to evidence claims made as part of its fundraising efforts.’
Referring to its controversial fundraising tactics, the regulator continued: ‘We found the CIC’s frequent reference to potential death or death from suicide in its materials was controversial fundraising. We did not see evidence of the reputational risks from this being considered.’
And addressing the way donations were used, it added: ‘The CIC did demonstrate it is able to ringfence money and updated its objectives, so the fundraising was aligned with these.
‘However, there were some displeased that the CIC used donations to purchase a house as an asset. It is outside of the scope of the Fundraising Regulator to consider such decision-making.’
