Tragic singer Tom Parker has been praised by charities for his fundraising work before his death from brain cancer.
The Wanted star, 33, died on Wednesday (March 30) after a brave battle with the disease.
The dad was hailed for the “amazing” job he did to raise awareness of the condition and fundraise since revealing he had an inoperable tumour two years ago.
National Brain Appeal boss Theresa Dauncey told the BBC: “Tom was a fantastic spokesperson, and he chose to bring attention to the lack of funding.
“He was amazing, honest and positive.”
Ms Dauncey believes Tom drew attention to “solutions and treatments over his illness”, adding that “so many people would have just shut the doors, locked everyone out and wanted to just stick with their family and friends”.
(Image: Getty Images for BAUER)
She said the singer “got people together, made a documentary, had a concert [and] brought so many people’s attention to this sort of terrible lack of awareness”.
Hugh Adams, from Brain Tumour Research, said Parker speaking so “openly and honestly” had “helped to raise awareness of the devastation caused by brain tumours”.
He said: “We remember Tom for his passion, intelligence, eloquence and determination in the face of such adversity and will continue to remember him as we focus on our vision of finding a cure for all types of brain tumours.”
(Image: ITV)
The star was given just 18 months to live when he was diagnosed in 2020.
But brave Tom beat the odds after several gruelling rounds of chemotherapy and 30 radiotherapy sessions.
He spoke to MPs in the House of Commons in December, telling them: “I’m staggered they can find a cure for Covid within a year but, for decades on end, they haven’t found better treatments let alone a cure for brain tumours.”
(Image: Getty Images for BAUER)
The singer’s wife Kelsey Hardwick, 32, who had two kids with him, wrote on social media on Wednesday:“Thank you to everyone who has supported in his care throughout, he fought until the very end. I’m forever proud of you.”
Tom’s band mate Nathan Sykes shared an emotional tribute to Tom Parker on Thursday afternoon.
Alongside the emotional clip of The Wanted on stage together, he said: “I can’t begin to express how I feel right now.
“This video was taken during our last performance together in Liverpool just 2 weeks ago that will stay with me forever.
“Thank you Tom for bringing your light to the world. I hope we meet again one day, rest well, brother.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
