ActionAid supporters joined thousands of people from across the UK on the Put People First march for jobs, justice and climate on Saturday.

Members of Put People First – an unprecedented alliance of more than 150 unions, development, faith and environment groups – marched to demand decent jobs and public services for all, an end to global poverty and inequality, and a green economy.

They called on G20 leaders, who are meeting in London on Thursday, to recognise that only just, fair and sustainable policies can lead the world out of recession.

Thousands of people marched from Embankment to Hyde Park for a rally addressed by speakers and celebrities from the UK and around the world, including Luke Pritchard of the Kooks, activist-comedian Mark Thomas and singer Daby Toure.

Church leaders, including the Bishop of London, Dr Richard Chartres, attended an ecumenical service at Central Hall in Westminster before joining the march.

Dr Claire Melamed, Head of Policy at ActionAid, said: “Every day we are hearing stories from around the world of how this crisis is throwing development into reverse. As jobs are lost and children get pulled out of school what was a financial crisis is turning into a humanitarian catastrophe. The G20 leaders must not sit by and let this happen. They must agree new money to support poor countries now, and a change in the rules to make the system work better for poor people in the future.”

ActionAid’s superhero MegaMouth also joined the march, looking for slogans for the G20 summit.

MegaMouth has been out in his superhero garb in all weathers on London’s streets this week (23-27 March) mingling with shoppers and office workers and asking for their views about world poverty, climate change and the recession.

MegaMouth has also been a lively presence on Twitter urging everyone to contribute a slogan.