Russian Supermodel to Better Children's Lives

Russian-born supermodel Natalia Vodianova was beset by grief following the atrocious school attacks in Beslan, Russia in 2004 where 186 children were killed. Knowing she couldn't sit idly by without doing something, the beauty founded the Naked Heart Foundation, a charity which raises money to build parks and playgrounds in her homeland. So far, 39 parks and smaller playgrounds have been built in 30 Russian cities. One in Beslan opened last October.

The playgrounds improve the lives of the children in the most basic of ways: they let kids be kids.

Natalia (who, at only 27, has already been the face of Calvin Klein, Chanel, and L'Oréal, not to mention a star on the runway since she was 17), has a goal of being able to build 500 parks for the children across Russia, the UK's Telegraph reports.

Now, her Naked Heart Foundation is set to do the same thing for parts of the UK. The foundation along with Harper's Bazaar UK are planning a Love Ball event on Feb. 23, the first night of London Fashion Week; another ball is set for Moscow in April.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and for at least one supermodel, it's also in the children she sees playing on brightly colored playgrounds.

Go here to learn more about the Naked Heart Foundation.

Photo courtesy of WikimediaCommons

London Love Ball Save The Date from Naked Heart Foundation on Vimeo.