KELSEY Parker looked radiant as she cradled her growing baby bump during her annual charity football match in memory of her late husband, Tom Parker.
Held at Bromley F.C. stadium in Kent today, the event marked the third Tom Parker Celebrity Football Match and once again raised funds for brain tumour research – a cause that has become deeply personal for Kelsey and her family.
4
4
4
Kelsey, boyfriend Will, and her children Aurelia and Bodhi all wore matching white t-shirts emblazoned with heart-shaped “Love Tom” logos, honouring the beloved The Wanted singer, who passed away in 2022 from an inoperable brain tumour.
In an emotional interview with The Standard, Kelsey said: “Me being with Will and having a child with Will would never take away the love that we have for Tom and the love that even Will has for Tom, because Will ultimately loves Tom’s kids.”
She added: “It’s about us as a family and Will’s a massive part of their life now.”
Kelsey said the match has become a special day for her children to honour and “remember” their dad.
Reflecting on Tom’s diagnosis, Kelsey spoke passionately about the need for greater awareness and funding:
She said: “When you get diagnosed like Tom did, it rocked our whole world and our family to know how underfunded brain tumours are.
“Just raising that awareness will go such a long way.”
This year’s star-studded match featured appearances from celebrity players including Ryan and Scott Thomas, former Towie star Dan Osborne, Love Island alumni Finley Tapp and Ronnie Vint, as well as Coronation Street’s Alex Bain and EastEnders actor Jaden Ladega.
The family-friendly event also included food stalls, raffles, and live performances.
Kelsey continues to be a tireless advocate for brain tumour awareness, saying: “Even talking about it now, people have no clue that brain tumours are the biggest killer for under 40s and children, and we only get one per cent of national funding. That’s it.”
She added: “Tom left me this legacy to carry on. He did so much in his 18 months of getting sick that now it’s my time to say, you know what? I’ll continue shining a light on it for him.
“It’s a big responsibility but I’m doing it all for him.
“Because what we went through as a family – you wouldn’t wish that on your worst enemy. So now it’s all about just helping other people.”
4