A statue honoring Crimean War heroine Mary Seacole, the Jamaican-born nurse who cared for wounded British soldiers at a field hospital she independently set up in Crimea in the 19th century, has been unveiled in London.

The statue fittingly stands in the garden of Saint Thomas' hospital on London's Southbank, and was unveiled by actress Baroness Floella Benjamin.

Seacole was named the Greatest Black Briton in a 2004 poll, but it took a 12-year campaign for the statue to come to fruition.

In that time more than £500,000 was raised in donations from thousands of supporters.

Chancellor George Osborne announced in November that £240,000 from LIBOR banking fines would be donated to the appeal to pay for installation.

Campaigners said the bronze statue, created by sculptor Martin Jennings, provides recognition of the contribution made by black and ethnic minority people throughout British history.

It is inscribed with words written in 1857 by The Times' Crimean War correspondent, Sir William Howard Russell: "I trust that England will not forget one who nursed her sick, who sought out her wounded to aid and succour them, and who performed the last offices for some of her illustrious dead."

Mary Seacole became known as "Mother Seacole" and, at the time, her reputation rivaled that of Florence Nightingale.

Lord Soley, chair of the Mary Seacole Memorial Statue Appeal, said: "After 12 years of campaigning, we look forward to finally granting Mary Seacole the acknowledgement she deserves for her selfless support of British soldiers."