A SEMI-RETIRED builder came to the rescue of Sidford Social Hall leaders by offering to rebuild a knocked-down wall for nothing.

Kind Dave O’ Connor, 70, waived any charge for his labour after reading in the Herald how organisers at the venue were left facing an unwanted bill.

An unknown culprit clobbered the wall on March 1 and fled the scene. It was the second time in nine months damage had been inflicted on the structure.

Dave, of Sid Park Road, Sidmouth, got to work at the Byes Lane hub on Tuesday.

“It’s terrible when things like that happen - I was happy to help,” he said.

“Whoever caused the damage didn’t have the courage or conviction to own up. It’s a shame really.”

Colin Kingman, social hall treasurer, said: “We are ever so grateful to him. For an offer like that to come out of the blue is not something you hear of very often in this day and age. The major cost for us would have been the labour costs. All we’ll pay for now is the materials – a very minor element.”

Colin had feared that hard-earned hall funds would have to be used to rebuild the wall, or an insurance claim would see the venue lose its no claims bonus and put up its premium.

Dave, chairman of the Sidmouth’s Royal British Legion (RBL), was only too happy to help Colin – the vice chairman of the Sidford and Sidbury RBL branch.