A plumber from Burnley broke down in tears of happiness after his garden was transformed for an ITV gardening show.
James Anderson, the founder of Burnley charity Depher CIC which provides free or heavily subsidised emergency plumbing and heating services to vulnerable older and disabled, appeared on Alan Titchmarsh’s Love Your Garden.
The show sees Alan and a team of landscapers travels across the country to give surprise transformations to the outdoor spaces of some of Britain's most deserving people.
James was given this opportunity after being nominated by the public after his charity has helped to keep people across the county warm and fed.
The ITV team, who descended on Burnley last May, turned his garden into an “Ibizan-style contemporary space”, with plenty of plants, a barbecue and pizza oven, plush new seating areas and even a new cage for the family’s pet rabbits.
On the show James said: “I have never seen anything like this in my entire life. I can’t believe this, look at it.
“I can’t believe how different it is.
“It’s beautiful. It’s brilliant. Thank you very much. It’s definitely a dream come true. I’m overwhelmed.”
Alan said: “James has done so much for some of the other folk we thought it was time we did something for you.
“James is a classic case of one of those people who is so involved in taking up all of his time doing things for other people, making sure they can survive in their houses with their plumbing and heating.
“There is absolutely no time to do anything for himself.
“He was just so desperate for a garden where he and Barbara could chill out in the Burnley sun and I think he’s quite pleased with it.”
Speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph earlier this month, James said:“What we saw when we opened our eyes at the big reveal was magical.
“It is absolutely beautiful and I couldn’t ask for anything more.
“So much work has gone into the garden and I smile so much when I look out of the window now.
“I have always loved gardening and landscaping and always tried my best with it, but I am not Alan Titchmarsh and can’t do what he does.”
Depher was founded in 2017 and has been operating nationally not only to help those who need boiler repairs, but also help families buy food and paying energy bills for those financially unable to.
Hollywood actor Hugh Grant supports the charity and has donated more than £55,000 to it since 2021.
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