It’s so tough being a single mum, my husband Tom Parker’s death ripped our family apart but I talk about him every day
AS their due date gets closer, most expectant mums count down the days until they meet their little one but this wasn’t the case for Kelsey Parker.
Her husband Tom was diagnosed with cancer when she was 35 weeks pregnant and two years on his tragic passing, she has revealed how she is keeping The Wanted singer's memory alive.
It can be as simple as having a conversation.
Even though her children Aurelia and Bodhi are still small, Kelsey says that they still speak about the former singer daily.
“We still talk about Tom every day,” she explained, though some things are still too painful for her – including music.
"I do find music quite painful to listen to, having two young kids and being a solo parent we talk about Tom all the time to keep his memory alive,” Kelsey revealed.
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Her kids were also the driving force behind her book, With and Without You, which was about her late husband.
While her little ones are still too young to understand now, she hopes that they will be able to appreciate the book once they are older.
She added: “I wrote a book so the kids can read about him. For my kids, they will be able to see what I went through and see more about our relationship.
Tragically, Tom was diagnosed with a glioblastoma (brain tumour) at just 33.
At the Kelsey had also been 35 weeks pregnant with their second child, Bodhi, when he was diagnosed.
With the limited time, he left The Wanted singer using his celebrity status to raise awareness about brain tumours and help promote charities .
"Tom was such a beacon of light, he shone a massive light on the brain tumour community.”
Tragically, the world would lose that star on March 30, 2022 – with Tom passing away surrounded by his loved ones.
"It ripped our whole family apart, just surviving on my own and being the mum and the dad is so tough,” she recalled.
Despite being proactive and finding ways to honour her late husband’s memory, Kelsey says that it’s now do to her to carry on Tom's legacy.
"He passed me on the baton, for me, I needed to go into my power and help,” she said, adding: “I can't see another family go through what we have been through."
This includes taking part in ‘Wear a Hat Day’ and sharing snaps of herself in silly hats on social media for Brain Tumour Research.
Kelsey said she will be wearing a beret and her son Bodhi will be wearing a Super Mario hat to raise money for the charity on March 28, 2024.
Encouraging other to do the same, she wanted them to use hashtag #WearAHatDay and donate if they can.
With brain tumours killing more men, women and children under 40 than any other cancer, funding the charity’s research is vital.
Kelsey said: “Brain tumours are so underfunded, until you are in the position that Tom and I were in you have no idea how much funding they get.
"The standard of care for brain tumours has [also] not changed in 30 years.”
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"It is hard but with more research and more money, we can treat this.
"Everyone needs to wear a hate and celebrate those who we have lost in this."
