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Russian Woman Receives Order of Excellence From Queen Elizabeth II

© REUTERS / Alastair Grant/PoolNatasha Hart, a Russian citizen and the founder of the Newham All Star Sports Academy (NASSA) in London, received the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire from Queen Elizabeth II.
Natasha Hart, a Russian citizen and the founder of the Newham All Star Sports Academy (NASSA) in London, received the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire from Queen Elizabeth II. - Sputnik International
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Natasha Hart, a Russian citizen and the founder of the Newham All Star Sports Academy (NASSA) in London, received the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire from Queen Elizabeth II.

After leaving her native Russia and settling in London, Hart started a charity basketball club that eventually became one of "the most successful and caring basket clubs" in Britain, according to a statement on the NSSA website.

"I'm bursting with pride. This is beyond anything I could ever have imagined. I was truly shocked when I opened the letter to tell me about the honor. I am so grateful," Hart said, according to the statement.

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The NSSA had a huge impact on the crime-ridden neighborhood of east London to the point that a neighborhood where the NSSA is located had a zero homicide rate among the youth in 2015 and the overall decrease in juvenile delinquency.

By engaging the youth in sports, Hart wants them to grow up to become fair, honest and responsible citizens. Hart's charity club organizes weekly trainings for thousands of teenagers that explain to participants the dangers of gang-related activity in the streets of London.

Hart is also known for being the Olympic torch bearer for the 2012 London Games and the Paralympic Torch bearer for the 2014 Sochi Winter Games.

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