CHARITY worker Ruth Loft joined hundreds of guests at a reception in Buckingham Palace where she met the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.

It was given to mark the contribution of those working in the community and the voluntary sector.

Ruth of Ryburn Avenue, Blackburn spearheaded a campaign for Breakthrough Breast Cancer, raising more than £40,000 in Blackburn since the charity was established in 1991. Breakthrough has raised £15 million nationally and established the UK's first specialised breast cancer research centre in London.

Seven hundred people chosen from voluntary organisations and charities mingled with members of the royal family including the Duke of York, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Princess Royal, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and Princess Alexandra, Lady Ogilvy and Sir Angus Ogilvy. TV personalities included Terry Wogan and Gaby Roslin. Ruth said: "I was thrilled to be invited and was so excited as the Queen approached. She asked which charity we were from and my Breakthrough colleague, Gordon McLay from Scotland, introduced me.

"Thankfully, I remembered to curtsy. Prince Philip said: 'You're a new charity, aren't you?' and we replied we were nine years old, and told him Prince Charles had just become our Patron.

"The Queen looked radiant and took an interest in everyone."

Tim Hitchens, one of the Queen's private secretaries told Ruth this was the first event of its kind.

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