The founder of a youth athletics programme for disadvantaged young people has received an MBE from King Charles III.
Connie Henry, who set up Track Academy in Willesden in 2007, attended an investiture at Windsor Castle after she was named in Queen Elizabeth’s final honours list.
Track Academy was established to help young people through sport in Brent.
The charity runs athletics sessions three times a week and helps 350 young people every year.
Connie was given the gong for charitable services to young people through sports and education.
She is a former international athlete and won the bronze medal in triple jump at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.
Speaking after her investiture, Connie said: "I was thrilled to speak to His Majesty King Charles III about Track Academy and the incredible role sport plays in changing people's lives."
Connie was also the brainchild behind the Sport Gives Back Awards. The 2020 ceremony celebrated the work of ten charities which work to change people’s lives through sport.
During the pandemic, Connie secured funding from Sports England to run activity sessions for the local community for free.
The programme took place throughout 2022, offering activities ranging from Buggyfit, where mums and babies take part in fitness classes, to golf.
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