Tom Parker's widow Kelsey is determined to "carry on" his legacy.
Kelsey Parker is determined to keep the legacy of her late husband Tom alive
The Wanted star died of a brain tumour in March 2022 at the age of 33 and now Kelsey, 33, - who has Aurelia, four, and three-year-old Bodhi with the late singer - has announced that for the second year running, she will host the the Tom Parker Charity Football Match at Bromley Football Club in an attempt to tackle the lack of funding given to research for the killer disease.
She told OK!: "When Tom died I knew that I had to do something to carry on his legacy. When Tom was going through his own treatment, he was constantly messaging and helping others in the same boat as him.
"He was never one to sit down and keep still at the best of times, and even after his diagnosis that didn’t change, he was itching to help others.
"I have to carry that on. For Tom, for our children and for all the families going through the same thing.
"It’s shocking that brain tumours kill more children and adults under 40 than any other cancer, yet the government only gives brain tumour research 1% of its funding."
Kelsey has made it a "job" of hers to help drive change in raising awareness of brain tumours and is "so proud" that another match is to take place following the success of last year's event.
She said: "So much more work needs to be done to find the cause, trial new treatments - chemotherapy for this cancer hasn’t changed in 30 years - and one day a cure.
"I feel like it is my job now to help make this change.I’m so proud to be holding a second celebrity charity football match in Tom’s memory. Last year’s event was a huge success and a lovely way for my kids to remember their dad. To see the difference he made and what we can now do in his honour. The money raised will go back into research and to help those facing a brain tumour diagnosis and their families."
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