The wife of The Wanted star Tom Parker is calling on fans to help charities in his honour.
Kelsey Parker, whose husband Tom died of a brain cancer this week, has set up a GoFundMe page in his honour and said: "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.
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"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. 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's death comes after he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour - stage four glioblastoma - in October 2020, reports the Manchester Evening News. Tom's diagnosis came shortly before he and his wife Kelsey, who married in July 2018, welcomed their second child, a son named Bodhi. They also have a daughter Aurelia who was born in July 2019.
"It is with the heaviest of hearts that we confirm Tom passed away peacefully earlier today with all of his family by his side," Kelsey Parker said in an Instagram post on Wednesday. "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, from Bolton, vowed to fight his cancer while having chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the UK to prolong his life and recently had an extended stay at a specialist clinic in Spain, but tragically lost his life.
Donate to the GoFundMe here.
