Church's 'face' in city centre stands down aged 91

Maj John Mott has worked in numerous roles with The Salvation Army, including leading the branch in Southend

A man who has been "the face" of a church and charity in a city centre for more than 25 years is to stand down.

Maj John Mott, 91, has been selling the Salvation Army magazine The War Cry outside Marks and Spencer on Sidney Street, Cambridge, in all weathers since 1998.

In that time he said he had met and spoken to actors, politicians and even the Archbishop of Canterbury.

He said he was standing down reluctantly due to deteriorating health, adding: "I thought to myself 'Winter’s coming - last winter was quite hard and I shouldn’t do that again.'"

Maj Mott, pictured with Maj Leanne Cordner, said he had met celebrities and politicians, but that those who had donated to the charity were the "most important"

Maj Mott has sold the magazine in various locations across the country since 1972, and led The Salvation Army in Southend until 1998.

At Christmas he sold the magazine five days a week and raised about £17,000 in 2023.

That money provided toys and gifts to 589 young people and was enough to fund 271 food parcels for families.

He said he would miss the job, adding: "I stand on the shoulders of Salvation Army people from all over the world.

"I've met the Archbishop of Canterbury here; actors and actresses who have been at the theatre and politicians have stopped to talk to me."

But he said the most important people he had met were those who had donated to the charity, and that some had been "incredibly generous."

Maj Leanne Cordner, who leads The Salvation Army in Cambridge, said: "He's become the face of The Salvation Army in the city centre and has built up a ministry among the people here.

"He's been a great fundraiser for us and while we appreciate the money, we appreciate more the ministry, the spreading of the good news, the praying with people he has been able to do and relationships he has built up.

"He has given a huge amount of time and dedication to what he has done and he will be very hard to replace."