Paulton Volunteer Youth Worker and Child Welfare Officer for Purnell Sports, Claire Burton, took part in a day she will never forget when she was presented the FA Grassroots Award at Buckingham Palace by HRH The Duke of Cambridge on Monday this week.

Claire was honoured as one of the 150 'Grassroots Heroes' for her hard work and dedication to local youth football. As President of the Football Association, which is celebrating its 150th year, HRH The Duke of Cambridge hosted the event and presented the awards.

After the ceremony and a lunch for all of the guests, Buckingham Palace hosted its first ever football match, with a special pitch created in the grounds in preparation for two of the oldest amateur clubs in England to play against each other – the Civil Service FC and Polytechnic FC.

Claire's voluntary work began when she started as Club Secretary for Purnell Sports Youth back in 2008, adding Club Child Welfare Officer to her role in 2011. With support from the Somerset FA, she was able to form a very successful girls football section – with a total of seventeen teams now at Purnell Youth. She became Child Welfare Officer at the start of the 2012/2013 season for Midsomer Norton Youth Football League, and is continuing again this year. This role has seen her acting as temporary Welfare Officer for Wells, Frome Collegians and Radstock, assisting many other clubs along the way.

Speaking to The Journal this week, Claire said: "Last season was an amazing year for me, I received an award through Purnells, the William Edgeworth Memorial Cup, as 'Spirit of the Club'.

"I then received an award through Somerset FA, after members of my own club nominated me. I was overwhelmed then to have been awarded Outstanding Contribution to Community Football within Somerset FA, and it was because of this, that I was honoured this week by HRH The Duke of Cambridge.

"I am totally overwhelmed, very proud of myself and so fortunate to have been recognised for my work, along with 150 volunteers for our contribution to football. It is a day I shall always remember."So, what's next for our local Grassroots Hero? "I will be staying on as Secretary and Child Welfare Officer, both for Purnell Sports and for the League. I'll continue to do all that I do – and no doubt more, as I have a habit of opening my mouth to say, "Yes, I'll do it", before my brain goes into gear!"