Brian Shrubb, a 60 year old retired forklift driver, was admitted to hospital at the end of 2008 for major heart surgery and a tracheotomy.  However, after the operation he developed pneumonia, leaving him critically ill for many weeks.

While still in hospital, the heating system in his home broke down, leaving his wife, Christine, without heating or hot water. The house was so cold that Brian could not have been discharged from hospital. Unable to afford the repairs, Christine continued to live in the unheated home until she too became ill with flu, aggravated by the cold and damp conditions.

The Shrubbs finally contacted Ridgeway Care and Repair, which offered them a lifeline from npower’s Health Through Warmth scheme.