A charity boss claims the 'old and vulnerable' can't even afford to ask for his help due to the cost-of-living crisis - after receiving a desperate letter from a bloke who 'couldn't afford a stamp'. James Anderson, founder of plumbing and heating repair charity Depher CIC, claims he received a handwritten note from a 65-year-old man called Anthony begging for help with his heating.
In the heart-breaking letter, the universal credit recipient claims he has just £60 a week to live off and cannot afford gas, electricity or hot water. He claims he cannot afford credit on his phone to make calls and has to wash by boiling water in a pan, admitting he is 'dreading' winter.
James, 55, initially tried to reach out to Anthony but claimed his mobile phone is repeatedly going to voicemail - fearing he might not have been able to afford to charge it. But the following evening, he revealed the charity had finally managed to get in touch with Anthony and a support package had been put in place, including heating and food deliveries.
