Sally Army windfall

A PENSIONER has left more than £800,000 to the Salvation Army after the organisation helped him in the years before his death.

The money will help keep open a threatened community care service operated by the Christian group, it was revealed yesterday.

Robert Saddler, a retired architect who lived in Forfar in Angus, had been given assistance with his living arrangements by Salvation Army staff before he died in 2008.

Major Jim McCluskey, team leader for the Salvation Army Angus community care service, said 850,000 had been received following directions in Saddler's will.

The money will secure the future of the care service amid fears over funding.

McCluskey said: "We were extremely surprised. The reality is we were down to our last penny and on the same day we were going to discuss what to do about the situation we were informed about this legacy. It's a lifeline. Mr Saddler was a service user of ours in his 80s. We did his shopping and collected medication. He was very nice. We are extremely grateful."

It is understood Saddler had no immediate family.