Andy Devaney
When Chloe Kelly walked onto a muddy London school pitch mid-training, no one expected what came next. The Lioness hero and Arsenal WFC star stunned the after-school football session into silence — and then tears — as she revealed that the Saving Souls Hub project would receive £8,815 in National Lottery funding through Sport England.
The grassroots organisation behind the sessions, Saving Souls Hub, has built its mission around bringing communities together through inclusive sport, with a strong focus on girls’ wellbeing and mental health. The new funding will go directly towards creating more non-committal, open opportunities for girls to play football — and crucially, educational programmes for boys and men that encourage greater respect and appreciation for women’s sport.
Chloe Kelly knows better than anyone how game-changing this kind of support can be. The WSL forward grew up playing on community pitches and benefitted from National Lottery-funded initiatives that helped shape her path to becoming a European champion.
“I remember when my local club received National Lottery funding to upgrade our facilities and what a huge impact that grant made on my community,” said National Lottery Ambassador Chloe Kelly. “So, I know what a positive difference it will be for this next generation to benefit from funding, because of you – National Lottery players across the UK – and I can’t wait to watch them kick all their goals.”
For Kerry Phillips, founder of Saving Souls Hub, the surprise visit was more than a photo opportunity — it was proof that visibility and investment matter.
“We’re honoured to receive National Lottery funding support from Sport England, enabling us to continue giving girls and women a space to bond and play football,” said Phillips. “This investment allows us to continue to grow our programme to ensure this space can continue building girls’ confidence, their wellbeing is nurtured, and community is strengthened.
“Chloe Kelly’s surprise appearance was a powerful reminder of the impact of visibility and the importance of continued investment. She’s broken barriers in sport, reshaped how women’s football is seen, and continues to uplift future talent. With the right support and funding, moments like these become truly transformative for girls like ours.”
Sport England’s CEO Simon Hayes echoed that sentiment, highlighting how essential such projects are to closing the participation gap.
“All women and girls should enjoy the physical, mental and social benefits of sport and physical activity. But the gender activity gap is stubborn, and too many are missing out. That’s why organisations like Saving Souls Hub are so important, especially for girls and women who are often overlooked and feel excluded from sport.
“We’re thrilled that Chloe Kelly, once a beneficiary herself, is inspiring the next generation by embodying just how powerful the impact of funding from National Lottery players can be. Since 1994, we’ve proudly awarded more than £6 billion of Lottery funding to community sport groups across the UK.”
The surprise visit was part of The National Lottery’s “Because of You” campaign, fronted by Claudia Winkleman, which celebrates extraordinary people and projects changing lives every day.
More surprise announcements are expected over the coming weeks across community, heritage, arts, and sports sectors as The National Lottery marks its 31st birthday this November.
Since its inception in 1994, the National Lottery has raised an astonishing £50 billion for good causes, funding over 650,000 projects across the UK.
Every week, players raise an average of £30 million, turning small moments — like Chloe Kelly’s heartfelt visit — into life-changing milestones for communities across the nation.
