Pensioner drives change in Helenvale

[caption id="attachment_40301" align="alignright" width="405"] MOVING UP: 'Oom Meno', right, gets help from Alton van Rensburg as they fix the roof of Bayview Primary School. Picture: DEON VAN DER WALT[/caption]

A RETIRED Port Elizabeth municipal truck driver is making a difference by devoting his time and money from hard-earned pension funds to improve people's lives.

David Philips, 66, better known as "Oom Meno", retired last year and has since been spending his money on fixing schools in Helenvale, feeding the hungry, and carrying out door-to-door visits to drug addicts. Yesterday, he fixed the windows of Bayview Primary's classrooms to help keep pupils warm. He also repaired the school's old roof, replacing rusty sheets with new ones.

Asked why he did not travel the world or spend the funds he worked long years for on himself, he said: "I am an old man. What am I going to do with the money that will be worth more than knowing I'm making a difference in my community?" - Alvené du Plessis