Art, sport and community: the Kadeena Cox mural at the Reginald Centre
The Reginald Centre in Chapeltown, Leeds now boasts a vibrant celebration of community pride and Paralympic excellence, with Community Health Partnerships (CHP) and LIFTCo partner Community Ventures Leeds working with Leeds City Council to add a new mural to the busy neighbourhood centre. A stunning mural of Kadeena Cox – Paralympian in sprinting and cycling, who grew up in Chapeltown in Leeds – was completed in just two weeks on site, with everyone working as a team to honour the local hero. This mural is one of five murals around Leeds, part of the ‘On the Pitch, Off the Pitch’ project, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, which delved into the museum collections to discover links to local sporting stories.
Earlier in 2025, Nicole Hardaker, Customer Service Team Leader at The Reginald Centre, approached CHP’s Operations and Relationship Manager, Jennie Hennelly, with the exciting proposal. The team wanted to use the side of The Reginald Centre for a mural honouring Kadeena’s achievements.
Jennie quickly mobilised support, collaborating with Stuart Verry from Community Ventures Leeds to coordinate meetings, ensure compliance, and meet critical deadlines. CHP and Leeds City Council are joint head tenants at The Reginald Centre, and Sewell Advisory project manages the operations of the centre on behalf of Community Ventures Leeds.
After a competitive selection process, artist Marcus ‘Hyro’ Browne was chosen from five candidates. His design, which captures Kadeena’s spirit and accomplishments, was approved by Kadeena and her family. Despite challenges – including weather delays – Hyro completed the mural in just two weeks.
The result is a powerful and inspiring piece of public art that now stands as a beacon of community pride and resilience at the heart of her local neighbourhood.
Leeds Museums and Galleries’ project curator Catherine Robins said:
“This beautiful new artwork is the culmination of more than a year of research, planning, teamwork and creativity and it’s incredible to see the murals brightening up the city in all their glory.
“The murals are also a visual representation of the passion and love for sport that’s been shown by our project volunteers and their collective determination to honour these sporting heroes and their stories. That more than anything is the ideal tribute and something the city can hopefully be proud of for many years to come.”
Kadeena’s mural was the first one to be officially unveiled, with Kadeena and her family in attendance. Kadeena and her mother were thrilled with the mural and spent time talking to visitors of all ages.
Jennie Hennelly Operations and Relationship Manager, CHP shared:
“This project was a fantastic example of what we can achieve when CHP, LIFTCo, and the city council work in partnership. We were delighted to help mobilise the effort quickly and ensure the process ran smoothly to meet the deadlines for this incredible artwork.
“Seeing the joy and pride at the unveiling made all the logistical work worthwhile. It shows the power of true community partnership when we come together to honour a local hero like Kadeena.”
Stuart Verry, Assistant General Manager, Community Ventures Leeds (LIFTCo), said:
“When we were approached about having a mural of Kadeena at The Reginald Centre, we jumped at the chance. The Reginald Centre is a real hub in the neighbourhood, providing a one-stop-shop for the community from GP appointments and dentistry, to library and council services and school holiday clubs for children. It therefore seems fitting that the centre can be used to celebrate one of the community’s success stories, and inspire the next generation of sporting stars from Chapeltown.”
This project is a great example of what can be achieved through collaboration, dedication, and a shared commitment to celebrating heroes at the heart of local communities.
About Kadeena’s mural
Beginning competitive sprinting aged 15, the runner silhouette reflects Kadeena’s early sporting career. Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 2014, the orange colours in the mural reference the orange ribbon, a symbol for MS awareness. The hummingbird and green background connect to her Jamaican heritage, and the yellow hair and face represent a phoenix rising through adversity. Bringing the artwork to the present day, the bike in green reflects Kadeena’s journey and the Kadeena Cox Academy, established in 2021.
