A Burnley charity has set up a fundraiser to support vulnerable people over winter.

Depher, well known as a plumbing and heating repair charity, has launched a ‘Low Income Family Enterprise' (LIFE) fundraiser.

Charity founder, James Anderson, said the money raised in the GoFundMe will help those struggling financially to afford energy bills and food this winter.

James told the Lancashire Telegraph: “This GoFundMe is getting support ready for winter.

“It will soon be September and the colder weather will be with us, the cost of fuel, gas, food and electricity [could] rise again.

“We are preparing for a nasty winter of hardships and poverty”.

More than £6,000 has been raised so far and the fundraiser has a target of £50,000.

Earlier this year James launched a food drive at the Depher CIC Fundraising Shop in Keirby Walk.

He said the charity provides £12,000 worth of food for the drive every month, supporting around 800 people each week.

People are often seen queuing outside the charity’s door.

James said: “Every day, we see people who need support because they just cannot make their income stretch far enough, from elderly and disabled people to low-income families.

“We purchase for our food drive alone £12,000 of food every month, supporting over 800 families and individuals every week, we buy from wholesalers and supermarkets and always look for the cheapest.

“We run a national food delivery service, once you are accepted for the support we place an order online, pay for it and have it delivered to your door, very simple and very efficient way of getting emergency support to those who need it quickly”.

The charity still continues its free boiler repair and replacement service, for those in need.

James said: “We are very proud of the boiler repair and replacement service that we supply nationally, giving continuous support to the elderly and disabled, especially through the winter months.

“We have now assisted and helped thousands around the country with free repairs and free boilers”.

Last month a boy from Oswaldtwistle, who was born without his right arm, has received a ‘superhero’ bionic limb thanks to donations from Depher.

Alexander Sparks, seven, received his Open Bionics arm, which is aesthetically inspired by Marvel movie Black Panther.

Food prices are likely to remain high for the rest of the year, the Bank of England has said.

The Bank said there was “quite wide agreement” that food price inflation had now peaked and was expected to be significantly lower by the end of the year at “perhaps around 10 per cent or slightly lower”.

It said that cost inflation experienced by food producers had fallen, but still remained much higher than usual, and could take longer for some producers to see lower pressures, particularly where there were annual contracts with suppliers or group-buying arrangements.

Energy bills are expected to remain “relatively stable” but significantly above pre-pandemic levels for the foreseeable future, according to latest analysis.

Consultancy firm Cornwall Insight has forecast “relatively small fluctuations” for energy regulator Ofgem’s price cap through to September next year, which it expects will fall to £1,860 for a typical dual fuel household in October 2023.

To donate to the fundraiser visit the GoFundMe website at: https://gofund.me/1862f973