The National Lottery has gifted QPR in the Community Trust a box of unique footballs that held significant meaning back in the summer. 

The balls had been used to spell out the word ‘PROUD’ to share a message for the England Lionesses when they flew home after their World Cup campaign in Australia and New Zealand over the summer. 

During an event with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, the QPR in the Community Trust got the footballs signed by one of England’s players, Lucy Bronze, before they were distributed at QPR’s girls’ holiday programmes. 

This is part of the National Lottery’s support of the women’s game as part of the £50m ($63.6m) invested into women and girls’ football over the past decade. 

The National Lottery is investing over £15m into the FA over the next four years to get more women and girls into football. 

Equality, diversity and inclusion lead at QPR Community Trust, Charlotte Edwards, said: “It’s been great for the National Lottery to gift these footballs to us which were used in an iconic World Cup homecoming. 

“With the added bonus of Lucy Bronze signing the balls we feel they have come full circle.  

“Young participants across our education programmes will be lucky recipients and no doubt further their interest in the women’s game.” 

Before the new year, the National Lottery Heritage Fund announced support for the New Directions College’s 65th anniversary and for the Dean Heritage Centre in Gloucestershire.