A huge mural of Gold medallist Keely Hodgkinson has has been unveiled in her hometown of Atherton. Painted by street artists Kelzo and Evan, organisers hope the mural found on Church Street will 'inspire' youngsters in the region.
At just 20-years-old Keely has reached hometown hero status thanks to her success as a 800m runner which has saw her bag a Gold medal in the European Championships earlier this year and a a Silver medal in the Tokyo Olympics back in 2019.
READ MORE: Police at scene after shots fired at house in Manchester
Work on the mural has been a big hit and has been shared among Atherton residents throughout the week. Keely who is currently on holiday was not at the reveal but she did manage to visit the site earlier this week before jetting.
Speaking at today's reveal of the finished piece on the wall of Hepworth and Hall Opticians, Keely's mum Rachel said: "It's absolutely fantastic, Keely just feels like it's an honour.
"To be on the wall of the town that she's grown up in means a lot to her. It shows that people have recognised her hard work.
"I just hope that all the kids that go past it may be inspired thinking that she's from Atherton, if she can do it why can't I."
The mural pays homage to not only Keely's story but also makes nods to Atherton's heritage and neighbouring towns of Leigh and Tyldesley. On the right hand side of the mural coaches Margaret and Joe Galvin who trained a young Keely at Leigh Harriers and Athletic Club have.
The town hall clock on the mural is set at at 8:22pm which is 20:22 on a 24-hour clock and is a reference to the year Keely won the European Championship Gold medal. While the parish church is set at 7:10pm or 19:10 as a reference to the Pretoria Pit disaster that occurred around two miles away from the town centre.
A project that saw members of the council and local businesses come together. The mural was funded by the the Atherton Residents Association and Atherton Community Trust. Councillor for Atherleigh John Harding who organised the project and contacted street artist Kelzo said: "Keely is a young woman who has absolutely taken the athletics world by storm and it's culminated in her European medal.
"We've got some really good different sports that people are excelling at. But to see someone who's a real a real top medal is inspirational for children, and with the size of it it's not going to go away is it."
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
- Chef smashed up Manchester landmark causing £20,000 worth of damage in bizarre attack
- Ru Paul's Drag Race Cherry Valentine star George Ward dies at 28 as tributes pour in
- Pervert was carrying artificial cream when he was arrested at tram stop en route to meet 'girl'
- Manchester welcomes its first new park in a century as Mayfield Park opens its gates
- Residents in £900-a-month 'luxury' Salford apartments say they're living in rat-infested 'squalor'
