A sports fundraiser has been given an award for services to rugby.

Lin Neal, of New Road, Minster, received the honour from the president of the Kent RFU at the group’s annual meeting, attended by representatives of different clubs.

The 70-year-old, who is the sponsorship co-ordinator at Sheppey RFC, won the award for her work as the co-ordinator for the Invicta leagues.

The role sees her sort out the fixtures, results and tables for second teams in the county as well as liaise with referees and deal with complaints or issues that arise.

She shares the prize with Howard Pearl, of Sevenoaks RFC, who oversees the Kent rural division, and Clive Putner, of Old Beccehamians RFC, who co-ordinates Kent Met – the London areas formerly in Kent. They will have the shield for four months each.

The grandmother-of-five said: “It was such a surprise. It felt really good. What you do, you do because you like it or because you want to, not because you are looking for an award, but it’s always nice to have your efforts recognised.”