A towering statue to honour the UK’s kindest hero has been unveiled on London’s iconic Southbank today – and you may not have heard of them.
Unsung hero and inspiration, Jo Newby, 52, from East Yorkshire, has received the incredible accolade thanks to her tireless efforts to help hundreds of members of the community during the past two decades and better the lives of local pan-disabled youths and children in need.
The nationwide ‘#MyKINDHero’ search was launched earlier this year to uncover the UK’s kind hero, receiving nearly 500 heart-warming nominations.
Following an extensive judging process, big-hearted Jo was bestowed the honour, having been nominated by her husband of 21 years, Chris.
UK hero is given statue of honour
The statue, arranged by healthy snack bar brand, KIND Snacks, which stands at four metres tall on Southbank’s Observation Point, was created using 3D scanning technology and is made from recycled materials.
Standing upon a recycled wooden plinth, the design encapsulates the ways Jo has gone above and beyond in her selfless acts.
Jo has opened her home time and time again fostering an astounding 92 children to date.
She went on to adopt a child with additional needs, nursing him through a brain injury coma, as well as supporting and caring for her husband, Chris, during his battle with pancreatic cancer.
To support and help the disadvantaged, she also became 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.
Jo’s statue is holding 92 balloons with one hand – each symbolising one child she has fostered – and a pair of children’s football boots in the other and resting her foot on a football, to represent the football teams she has helped to pioneer.
A surreal moment
Jo Newby, 52, of East Yorkshire said: “It’s all so
