Kelsey Parker: Tom Parker’s widow shares plans to raise money after one year anniversary of husband’s death

Kelsey Parker has revealed how she is coping with grief and her plans for the future following her husband Tom’s death.

The widow, 32, who lives in Bolton, marked International Women’s Day by speaking to HELLO! about how her children, Aurelia, nearly three, and Bodhi, two, have kept her strong whilst dealing with the grief of losing The Wanted singer to a brain tumour.

She said: "I never wanted it to be sad for the kids. Whenever we filmed anything, Tom and I used to dance together because we were not going to let our house be a sad environment for them”.

Raising her children without Tom has been hard for Kelsey but thankfully she has great love for Tom’s mum, Noreen, as well as her auntie, her nan and her best friends who rallied around her when times were tough.

Kelsey insists mums everywhere should be celebrated "because it’s the toughest job you’ll ever have to do".

Last year, Kelsey took part in a gruelling five day fundraising trek, alongside Pete Wicks and Vicky Pattison, across the Sahara Desert which had been organised by Giovanni Fletcher to raise money for breast cancer. She is now making it her mission to spread the word about cancer and grief.

Kelsey said: "I want to raise more money, help people and spread the knowledge of what I’ve learned on this journey. I feel like last year I let everything settle".

Despite her trauma she wants to help those in similar situations. She revealed: “There’s so much that I’ve learned on the journey that I never wanted to be on. But now I’ve learned that I need to spread the word and help other people. Healing and happiness this year."

Following Tom’s death, Kelsey set up a GoFundMe page that raised more than £70,000 for charitable causes in the Glad You Came singer’s name. Tom’s friend Ed Sheeran selflessly paid for some of the medical bills and Kelsey will forever be grateful to the singer for his generosity. It was recently reported that Ed’s wife Cherry Seaborn was secretly battling a tumour of her own.

Kelsey was seen in the audience as The Wanted star Siva Kaneswaran paid tribute to Tom on last night’s episode of Dancing on Ice. Fans were left in tears as Siva smoothly skated with partner, Klabera Komini to the band’s hit, Gold Forever, as the anniversary of Tom’s death approaches.

Siva explained in a VT clip that the performance was even more poignant because he would be skating out to the opening lines performed by Tom. The band re-released a new version of their single Gold Forever to raise money for the Brain Tumour Charity and it was played at Tom’s funeral last April.

Siva confessed: "It’s really hard, really hard, I miss him a lot."

Siva said the routine was for everyone who "knew and loved Tom". The pair received their highest score of 36 for the routine, which saw Tom’s widow Kelsey blowing kisses from the audience.

After Siva’s performance fans took to Kelsey’s Instagram to offer support.

One said: “Your two little ones are an absolute credit to you. Tonight was amazing and I’m so glad Siva was given the opportunity to do this in memory of Tom”.

Another posted: “ Beautiful, Siva you did Tom proud and his family. Amazing tribute to a special husband dad and friend - amazing xx❤️

Celebrity pals including Ola Jordan, Pixie  Lott and Tom’s former band mates were quick to comment and offer Kelsey their support.

Although she will never fully recover from her loss, Kelsey has some inspirational quotes for others suffering. She advises: "You’ve just got to stay strong – there is a light at the end of the tunnel somewhere”.