Salvation Army members and volunteers have joined an estimated 40,000 campaigners taking part in the Put People First march in Central London today.

Put People First is a global campaign to challenge the G20, ahead of their 2 April summit meeting in London on the global financial crisis.

The Salvation Army is an international movement, committed to meet human need and work for social justice without discrimination.

Commissioner Betty Matear, Salvation Army leader and Moderator of the Free Churches, took part in a Put People First church service at Westminster Central Hall earlier this morning. Leading the ecumenical congregation in prayer, she acknowledged that as a nation we have 'pursued wealth at the expense of the poor and misused power'. She prayed: 'Make us good stewards of your creation'.

Prior to the march, Commissioner Betty Matear said: 'The church service and the march through London are a perfect opportunity to ask members of the G20 to consider the well-being of the world's most vulnerable people.'

'As a Christian church and charity committed to meet human need and to work for social justice, it is right that The Salvation Army is here joining with the voices of many others to call for action on poverty and climate change.'

Salvationists - young and old - from as far away as Mirfield in Yorkshire have travelled to London to join the marchers and make their voice heard.

• For live updates from the Put People First march, follow our Twitter feed

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