Peterborough footballer praised by Chelsea legend John Terry takes on kick-ups challenge for NHS

Football starlet Emily Sansom has found a great way to stay busy while games are postponed – she is doing 1,000 kick-ups every day to raise money for the NHS.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The 15 year-old’s skills – which have previously caught the eye of Chelsea legend John Terry - are so good she can complete the challenge in less than seven minutes each time.

Emily came up with the idea to raise money for NHS Charities Together because her mum, Natasha, is a paediatric speech and language therapy assistant at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Natasha said: “Emily loves her football and is very determined. Every day she goes out into the garden, dressed in full kit, and off she goes.

Emily Sansom with mum NatashaEmily Sansom with mum Natasha
Emily Sansom with mum Natasha

“She’s aiming to raise £1,000 and I’m sure she’ll do it. The support she’s had so far has been brilliant.”

Emily, who lives in Thorney with Natasha, dad Gavin and sister Megan (16) plays for Peterborough United, Corby Town and Northamptonshire FA’s Advanced Coaching Centre.

Natasha said: “Emily is a striker and her favourite players are Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Beth Mead who plays for Arsenal.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’s been hard for her, like so many other young people, not being able to play football at the moment, but she knows the great work being done by NHS staff at my trust and across the country so she wanted to do something positive to show her support.

John Terry has previously praised Emily's skillsJohn Terry has previously praised Emily's skills
John Terry has previously praised Emily's skills

“Gavin and I are cheering her on every day and her sister Megan has helped her set up some social media pages.”

Emily has a JustGiving page which can be found at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Emily-Sansom10, and videos of her daily 1,000 kick-up challenges can also be seen on Facebook and on her Instagram, EmilySansom10.

CPFT’s Head to Toe Charity benefits from funds raised for NHS Charities Together, the central organisation for all NHS charities. Head To Toe has already received £35,000 from NHS Charities Together which goes to directly supporting CPFT patients and staff.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Head To Toe charity manager Hannah Wysocki said: “We’re right behind Emily in her challenge and want to wish her all the best. It’s wonderful that she and so many others want to raise money for frontline NHS staff and patients at this difficult time.”

Emily Sansom with mum NatashaEmily Sansom with mum Natasha
Emily Sansom with mum Natasha

A video of Emily completing a separate skills challenge was praised on Instagram by Aston Villa coach John Terry recently, and during her latest exploits she has received messages of support from Tottenham winger Gemma Davison, the England women’s team and freestyle footballer Billy Wingrove.