Barnet disability advocate accepts charity cheque from football stars

Isabelle Papandronicou, from High Barnet, is England amputee footballer and accepted the cheque from ex-pros John Terry and Jody Morris on behalf of the charity Rays of Sunshine reports Sophie Mitchell

Two men and two women, holding two large cheques — (Credit – Rays of Sunshine)

A Barnet local was presented cheques by footballers John Terry and Jody Morris after they ran the London Marathon in support of the charity Rays of Sunshine.

Isabelle Papandronicou, from High Barnet, accepted the cheques for £26,000 and £8,000 from the John Terry Foundation on behalf of Rays of Sunshine, which supported her when she had her leg amputated as a child. The charity supports hospitals and families with ill children and grants them wishes to brighten their lives.

After Isabelle’s leg amputation as a result of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia, Rays of Sunshine gave her a chance to meet JLS and Pixie Lott at a Royal Albert Hall charity concert. She has gone on to become an amputee football player for Chelsea Women and England, as well as a model and disability advocate.

Reflecting on the presentation, she said: “To have my wish granted at a difficult time meant the world to me and the foundation’s support has also helped me achieve my footballing dreams. The money raised for Rays of Sunshine will make such a difference to other children waiting for their wish.”

The John Terry Foundation, launched last year, works closely with Rays of Sunshine and donated the funds for the England Women’s Amputee team to appear at the Amputee World Cup in Colombia, where Isabelle scored the team’s first international goal.

John Terry has confirmed he will also be running the 2026 London Marathon in support of Rays of Sunshine, he said: “Running the London Marathon was a huge personal challenge, but knowing it was for children and young people like Isabelle made every mile worth it’ and called Isabelle’s journey ‘genuinely inspiring.”

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