A MUM-OF-THREE has been recognised by the Prime Minister for setting up football classes for autistic children during a trip to London.

Andrea Smith of Lower Cwmtwrch, who established the ASD Football academy at the Cwm Wanderers Club in September 2017, was taken to 10 Downing Street on Wednesday, February 27 with her husband Kevin where they met Theresa May.

The 42-year-old said: “It was a bit unexpected, I didn’t know I was going. S4C and Rhodri Owen turned up with a camera crew to one of our training sessions and they said they were going to be taking us to London as a treat for all the work we’d done.

“S4C had booked the accommodation, the trains, the taxis to get us around everywhere. They didn’t tell us anything though, not even when we had actually arrived in London. It didn’t even hit me when we went through White Hall.”

When they arrived at Downing Street, Andrea and Kevin were greeted by Fleetwood Town goalkeeper Alex Cairns.

Andrea said: “He came out to talk to me and to say how well we were doing and then he took us to meet the Prime Minister.”

Andrea and Kevin, who were taken as guests to a Saint David’s Day celebration, had to knock on the door at Number 10 before being allowed to enter.

“We had to knock on the door which I was really nervous about. It was absolutely huge inside. You’re aware it’s big when you see it on the TV but I hadn’t realised just how big.”

The St David’s Day event included a harpist as well as stalls selling produce like cheeses, alcohol and gifts from around Wales.

Also in attendance were politicians, celebrities and people who are frequently seen on Welsh television.

Andrea said: “Theresa May came over to speak to me. She said she was really proud of everything we were doing with the academy and that she remembered me from the Lorraine Kelly awards. It was really lovely.

“I got to see a different side to her. When you see her on the telly, she always looks quite stern but she was quite personal and nice in person.”

The couple were also taken to see a choir performing in Number 10 as part of the Welsh celebrations.

Andrea said: “It was a bit surreal, it’s crazy to think that it happened to be honest.

“It was really good, we really enjoyed it. There aren’t many people who can say they’ve been inside Downing Street and seen Number 10 or the Prime Minister. I’m really thankful to S4C for arranging it.

“It’s lovely that we’ve been recognised for the stuff that we’re doing with the academy, but at the same time, I do say it’s not just acknowledging us but everyone who works with us.

“It’s excellent to take this back with us for the academy and everyone who works with us, and I think it’s a good tribute to how hard everyone works.”

The ASD Football Academy aims to coach children aged 8-18 who live with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) for one hour a week using fully trained and registered coaches.

A youth club is also provided for all academy members and their siblings in order to raise awareness of autism.

Andrea, who last year won Woman of the Year at the Lorraine Kelly awards in October as well as a Jo Cox award in July, previously said she was inspired to start the academy as her 18-year-old son Steffan has ASD. She said: “My eldest son, Steffan, is on the spectrum, and he just kept asking me over a couple of years if he could go to play football which would be in the mainstream Cwm Wanderers team.

“I was aware that he wouldn’t be able to cope with the mainstream team – things like all of the shouting from the sidelines and the instructions given to him.”

Andrea started the academy following a Dragon’s Den initiative at her workplace, EE in Merthyr Tydfil, where employees were challenged to combine technology and sport.

The mobile phone network and internet provider, which supplies volunteers for the academy, backed Andrea’s idea in collaboration with the Swansea City Community Trust through the Cwm Wanderers Club – which Kevin is the club secretary for.

The trust helped to supply the academy with equipment and disability coaches, and the “Swans” have also taken children from the academy on trips to the Liberty Stadium.

Andrea said: “With help from a disability coach, part of the hope is that it can be like a transitionary team for players who have the potential to go into the mainstream team.

“It’s all about making it an inclusive club – it’s partly why we have members of the mainstream team at the youth club and as volunteers.

“If members of the ASD academy do transition over to the mainstream team, we hope it won’t be as difficult because they’ll already have friends in the team.”

Older academy members are also able to volunteer behind the bar selling snacks and soft drinks during the youth club to help them develop their communications skills.

Internet provider BT’s CEO of consumer brands, such as EE and Plusnet, Marc Allera praised Andrea and the academy on Twitter.

He said: “Our people do amazing things. My brilliant EE colleague Andrea, from our Merthyr contact centre, set up the Cwm Wanderers ASD Football Academy for children on the autistic spectrum.

“Her work was recognised at No. 10. Awesome. Andrea, you’re an inspiration.”