Lucy Devine
An elderly woman was left in tears after breaking down to a charity owner who visited her home to fix a leaking tap.
James Anderson, from charity Depher CIC UK, visited the 89-year-old woman's home where he learned that she would be having eggs on toast for Christmas dinner this year, due to rising living costs.
Speaking to the Express, James - who explained the lady cried on his shoulder 'for 40 minutes' - said: "Mary has £1.67 in her bank account until mid-January. For Christmas, she's received three presents from friends and a few cards.
Advert
"She is having eggs on toast for her Christmas dinner. I went to see her to repair a leaking tap and she cried on my shoulder for 40 minutes.
"Her everyday bills have risen, she has seen a massive impact on what she has to pay, and also to stop using."
James decided to buy Mary a food shop from Asda which was delivered on Wednesday. There's enough to last her 60 days - including ingredients for a Christmas dinner this weekend.
"The food means she can stay warm for an extra two hours a day, with a smile," he said.
"There are over 300 people a day coming to us with the same issue, we send food to homes in all parts of the UK and we top up meters all over the UK."
The charity has been regularly helping Brits navigate the cost of living crisis this winter, helping those in need pay for shopping and heating bills.
Earlier this month, James also helped a woman who is fighting a terminal illness.
"A #Christmas present of heating and hot water. A beautiful lady who is fighting a terminal illness reached out, and @Depheruk caught her. #MerryChristmas my dear," he wrote.
The lady later messaged James to thank him for all he had done.
"Good evening James. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for putting heating and hot water back on in the house. I was at my lowest when you came to my rescue," she wrote.
"I am on benefits and would never have been able to afford this with no insurance. The boys that fitted it were so kind and worked in very cold conditions. They did a sterling job.
"Thank you so much James. You are a very caring, compassionate person. I would like to wish you and your lovely family the best of Christmas wishes."
You can donate to the charity via GoFundMe, here.