FLOOD waters are threatening to bring the city to a complete standstill but it is splendid to see one man epitomising the British spirit by turning a negative into a positive.

Pensioner John Mason, president of the Powick and Callow End branch of the Royal British Legion, spent hours collecting for the Poppy Appeal from car drivers stuck in traffic due to floods

His story went viral on social media and he said at the time: “I carried on until I was getting a bit tired and I need to have a stretch of my legs.”

Wonderful.

No doubt his resourcefulness was equal part a military and generational thing but seeing his photo standing there on the road proud as punch, collecting money and no doubt bringing a smile to frustrated commuters has certainly made me smile.

His “little run in” with police did not last long and he was handed a hi vis jacket from a concerned motorist, he told the BBC, so he could continue raising vital funds for a cause which helps servicemen and their families in times of need.

People like Mr Mason, their attitude to life is infectious and once he intended to do something the universe conspires to make it happen.

I do not doubt if his intention was to get to Australia that day without buying a plane ticket, it would happen.

Many readers took to the Facebook page of the Worcester News in praise of him and I think his story has touched so many because we all see a little part of him inside us all - some have more confidence that others to let that part shine.

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Mr Mason’s easy option on that day would have been to stay at home and watch television but easy is clearly not his way.

I am not sure of his back story which led him to this point but he probably drove to the site or he might have been stuck in traffic like everyone else.

We can all look at situations in our own lives and take inspiration from Mr Mason, who is not scared to go against the stream, finding that part of him deep within us all.

If I ever get to meet him I would love to sit down and chat to him over a drink about his no doubt wonderful experiences in life.

Well done Mr Mason.