Alongside Captain James Cook or Winston Churchill, a new statue in London's iconic Southbank honors a British hero who is not likely known, even by Brits themselves.

Unsung hero Jo Newby has fostered an astounding 92 children over the course of her 2 decades of volunteering.

The statue was commissioned by the snack bar brand, KIND Snacks after a nationwide search this year to uncover the UK's kindest hero. The 52-year-old woman from East Yorkshire received nearly 500 heart-warming nominations led by her husband of 21 years, Chris.

The statue, which stands four meters tall (13-ft) on Observation Point, holds 92 balloons in one hand—each symbolizing one child she has fostered, and a pair of children's soccer cleats in the other to pay homage to her work for children with disability in sports.

"It's all so surreal…I can't believe it," said Jo Newby. "I just get on with my day to day and don't ever stop to think about the wider impact that I may be having.

"All I think about is the children and making sure they feel happy, included and safe."

She also adopted a child with additional special needs, while supporting and caring for her husband, Chris, during his battle with pancreatic cancer.

"She's like the really fun auntie you never you knew you wanted but you actually really needed, because without her I have no idea where I would have gone," said Sophie, one of Newby's fostered kids.

She is a co-founder of Barton Inclusive Football Club Hull, consisting of three competitive pan-disability football teams for children and young adults in the area—a program that local coaches say just doesn't exist anywhere else in the region.

Jo's statue was created using 3D scanning technology from recycled materials.

"I'm so honored to be chosen as the UK's kind hero, and for my husband Chris to have nominated me without my knowing. The world is so full of sadness and anger. I just hope that people can see what an impact kindness has on others."

"To me, Jo is the most amazing, kind and selfless woman in the world, so when I saw #MyKINDhero callout I had to put her forward," said Chris. "To have her recognized and identified as the UK's kind hero makes me burst with pride."

WATCH local English news report on the victory…

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