OVER 35 CELEBRITIES TO SUPPORT KELSEY PARKER AT TOM PARKER CHARITY FOOTBALL MATCH
This Father’s Day, Dorking Wanderers F.C. will be buzzing with excitement as over 35 celebrities gather to show their support for Kelsey Parker. The event, known as the second Tom Parker Charity Football Match, is held in memory of the late Tom Parker from The Wanted, who tragically passed away from a brain tumour in March 2022 at the age of 33.
The star-studded game, organized by Scott Thomas, will feature well-known personalities from popular shows like Coronation Street, EastEnders, Gogglebox, Hollyoaks, The Apprentice, Married at First Sight, Fortune Hotel, Love Island, Made in Chelsea, and TOWIE. Additionally, a couple of former premiership footballers will also grace the field. Notably, legendary referee Mike Dean has generously offered his services for the day, driven by his daughter’s immense admiration for The Wanted.
The primary purpose of this gathering is to raise funds for the Ahead of The Game charity, of which Kelsey Parker is a patron. Expressing her gratitude, Kelsey acknowledges the crucial role played by James Ryan, CEO of Grove Gallery, as the event’s sponsor. Ryan’s unwavering support ensures that families attending the match will have an incredible day out.
Reflecting on her experience, Kelsey highlights the pressing need for improved funding and care in the fight against brain tumours. She shares, “When you are in it, you’re like, oh my god, it’s so underfunded. When Tom got diagnosed we wanted a magic wand to make everything better. But the standard of care hasn’t been changed in 30 years and the standard of care is literally chemo and radiotherapy. And their words were ‘If that works, we might give him a bit more chemo’. That’s it.”
Kelsey also opens up about the grueling impact of cancer treatment on Tom, revealing, “It’s absolutely horrendous. The time that I actually thought Tom was going to die was when he was on chemotherapy. It was absolutely horrendous.”
Dealing with her grief over the past two years, Kelsey acknowledges the difficulty but emphasizes the need to keep moving forward. She shares, “It has been a terrible time, but you do just have to get on with it. Like when Tom was first diagnosed, we just had to get on with it. That’s it. I am learning to live in grief now, so it’s how I’m just going through and living.”
For Kelsey, work becomes a coping mechanism. She explains, “I think, for me, my coping mechanism is work. I love work. I went back to work literally a month after Tom dying. I guess I’m a workaholic now. Ultimately, I have to provide for the children as well.”
Kelsey, a single mother of two, opened up about the challenges of parenting alone after the loss of her husband, Tom. In an emotional interview, she revealed that she has taken on both the roles of mother and father for her children. Even on Father’s Day, Kelsey is the one making cards and celebrating the occasion with her kids. Reflecting on her journey, she admitted that as time goes by, it becomes increasingly difficult to cope with Tom’s absence. This year, Father’s Day was particularly tough for the family, as the children are now more aware of their father’s absence and have changed significantly since his passing.
To keep Tom’s memory alive, Kelsey and her children visit two memorial benches dedicated to him. One of the benches is located in a secret location, and they make a trip to each bench on special occasions, such as Tom’s birthday, the anniversary of his death, and Father’s Day. Their son, Bodhi, even requested to visit the benches himself, showing the importance of this tradition in their lives.
Despite the challenges, Kelsey remains hopeful and believes that Tom is watching over them. She believes in receiving signs from her late husband, seeking guidance and reassurance in important decisions. Kelsey also finds solace in connecting with others who have experienced similar losses due to brain tumors. She sees it as Tom’s way of sending her people who she can support and be supported by, creating a valuable support system.
As Kelsey prepares to participate in a charity match alongside other celebrities, she is confident that Tom’s presence will be felt. She believes that the sun will always shine down on them, symbolizing his everlasting love and support.
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