Chesham: Track Academy founder honoured at Windsor by King Charles

Youth champion and former international athlete Connie Henry received her MBE from King Charles during her investiture at Windsor Castle on February 14.

Ms Henry was named on Queen Elizabeth’s final birthday Honours list for her work improving young people’s lives through her charity Track Academy.

She commented: "King Charles was very polite and generous with the short amount of time that’s afforded to you. He very kindly said 'it is wonderful that you’re finally being recognised for all the good work that you do.' That felt very sincere which was wonderful. 

Connie Henry at her MBE investiture (Image: Track Academy)

"Being so close to the monarch was surprisingly very comfortable. Of course, there was a lot of protocol and procedure that needed to be observed, which you would expect around the King of our country. But His Majesty himself and everybody around him were very calm and very kind, and made it a comfortable and warm experience.”

Ms Henry has created the Sport Gives Back Awards, which took place in early 2020. The concept of the ceremony was to celebrate the work of organisations like Track Academy, which change people’s lives through sport and movement. 

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Ten charities from across the UK chose their winners, while the event was sponsored by corporate organisations such as Nationwide, British Athletics and DHL. 

The ceremony, which was later broadcast on ITV, was attended by sporting luminaries including Lord Sebastian Coe, Dame Kelly Holmes, Daley Thompson and dancing legend Dame Darcey Bussell.