Newbury man, from 777 Plumber, offers free emergency callouts to the elderly and vulnerable

A Newbury-based plumbing and heating business is doing its bit for the elderly and vulnerable this winter.

Mike Longsmith of 777 Plumber is offering them free emergency call outs and repairs.

For the past year, Mr Longsmith and his team have been offering services for free to those in need.

What started off as kind gestures for those who looked to be struggling quickly became something the business openly offered as a way to give back to the community.

“The word started spreading and it got quite popular,” said Mr Longsmith, a father of six.

“We just wanted to put it out there, that we are still happy to keep it going especially when it is cold like this.

“People phone up and say they can’t get a plumber because it is so cold and everyone is booked up.

“And it is mega expensive.”

The business says it therefore offers two things. Instant availability in Newbury and – in most cases – a free of charge service if they are vulnerable or an OAP.

He added: “We enjoy doing it.

“We just want to give back really.

“Especially with the current climate, the rough time people have had with Covid, we just want to give something back to the community somehow.”

And the business receives emotional responses from those it helps.

Mr Longsmith, whose two children Michael, 21, and Joanna, 18, work for him, said: “We’ve had people crying.

“Some people don’t have anyone around them to turn to.

“We’ll signpost them to places like coffee shops.

“Some people can’t believe it.”