Man who 'can't afford a stamp' begs for help with heating in heartbreaking letter

A charity boss said he received a heartbreaking letter from a man who 'couldn't afford a stamp' begging for help with his heating.

James Anderson, founder of plumbing and heating repair charity Depher CIC, said a 65-year-old man named Anthony sent him the desperate letter amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. In the letter, the universal credit recipient said he had just £60 a week to live off, Wales Online reports.

He said he 'cannot afford gas' and that 'it's terrible not being able to have hot water'. He said he could not call to ask for support because he had no credit on his phone.

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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.

But the dad-of-six now worries raising costs could mean people won't be able to afford to reach out for help in the first place as they can't afford stamps, the internet or electricity for phone chargers. Sharing the heart-breaking note on Twitter, James wrote: "He couldn't even afford a stamp. I know what I'm going to do!! What would you do??"

James, from Burnley, Lancashire, said: "This is the first time someone hasn't been able to afford a stamp. It might be the first of many. I received this letter on Monday at the Depher community shop.

"We get a lot of letters and requests by email for help, but this struck me because on the envelope it says 'Dear Royal Mail, I didn't have the