The heartbroken wife of Tom Parker, the lead singer of The Wanted, is calling on fans to honour his memory by helping charities. Tom tragically passed away of brain cancer this week aged just 33.
Kelsey Parker and Tom got married in July 2018. She has set up a GoFundMe page in his honour which reads: "I am Kelsey Parker, very proud wife of Tom Parker, probably best known for being one-fifth of UK boyband The Wanted, but to those who knew him he was my husband, a Daddy, son, brother and friend.
"As many of you know, Tom was diagnosed with a brain tumour in October 2020 and on Wednesday 30th March 2022 he passed away peacefully with all of his closest friends and family by his side. Our hearts are truly broken, Tom was the centre of our world and we can't imagine life without him, but one of the biggest sources of comfort over the last 2 years has been the outpouring of love and support we’ve all received.
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"We can’t thank everyone enough for holding Tom, myself and the children in your thoughts and prayers, for lighting candles and sharing beautiful messages of hope and condolence.
"We want to take everyone’s incredible love, support and generosity and turn our grief into something positive and to keep Tom’s memory alive forever. We politely request that instead of gifts and flowers, donations are made to this GoFundMe account with all proceeds eventually going to amazing causes in Tom’s name, to help others in need."
"We simply couldn’t have got through the last 2 years without the help and support we have received and if we can offer it back to others that would be the best way to honour Tom and make our two children, Aurelia and Bodhi proud. From the bottom of our hearts, a huge thank you. If love alone could have saved Tom, he would have lived forever."
The Wanted star passed away after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour called a stage four glioblastoma in October 2020. His diagnosis happened just before he and his wife Kelsey welcomed their second child, a son who they named Bodhi. The couple also have a daughter called Aurelia who was born in July 2019.
In a statement following Tom's death, Kelsey said: "It is with the heaviest of hearts that we confirm Tom passed away peacefully earlier today with all of his family by his side. Our hearts are broken, Tom was the centre of our world and we can't imagine life without his infectious smile and energetic presence.
"We are truly thankful for the outpouring of love and support and ask that we all unite to ensure Tom’s light continues to shine for his beautiful children. Thank you to everyone who has supported in his care throughout, he fought until the very end. I’m forever proud of you."
Tom was originally from Bolton, and had vowed to fight cancer while undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the UK. He had also completed an extended stay at a specialist clinic in Spain before tragically losing his life.
Despite his illness, Tom joined his bandmates, Max George, Nathan Sykes, Siva Kaneswaran, and Jay McGuinness on stage at the AO Arena, when he returned to the UK.
Fans were delighted to see him on stage with the band during their Greatest Hits tour which saw them reunited after a seven year break from touring. Tom sat on a throne during performances of hit songs like Glad You Came and Gold Forever at the M&S Bank Arena.
When he was too weak to sing to the audience, his bandmates rallied around him with Siva Kaneswaran, 33, covering his vocals. Bandmate Nathan Sykes, 28, never left his side and filmed what would be their last moment together on stage.
