The cousin of Tom Parker is taking on a 10,000 steps a day challenge in memory of the popstar who died from a brain tumour.
Bolton bor Tom, from the pop group The Wanted, was just 33 when he died from a glioblastoma (GBM) in March 2022.
Siobhan Adams, 37, is working with the charity Brain Tumour Research and is doing the 10,000 Steps a Day in February challenge to raise money to help find a cure for the disease.
Read more: The Wanted Tom Parker dies, aged 33, with his family by his side
Siobhan, who is from Horwich, said: “It was so hard seeing what Tom went through. He was so young and had a wife and two young children, his life was going so well and then he was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
“I’m so proud of Tom for all of the awareness he raised about brain tumours. He had such strength and he was doing it all for other people because he knew nothing could be done for him.
“This is a big challenge for me but I think Tom would be proud of me and everyone who is taking part because he didn’t want others to go through what he did. This is a great way to continue his legacy.”
Brain tumours kill more men under 70 than prostate cancer, yet historically just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.
From his diagnosis in October 2020, Tom supported Brain Tumour Research.
Read more: Heartfelt tributes at Tom Parker’s funeral from family and friends
On 7 December 2021, he opened the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Brain Tumours (APPGBT), sharing his story to campaign for increased government spending into brain tumour research.
Matthew Price, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research said: “We were deeply saddened by Tom’s passing.
"His loss has had a huge impact on the brain tumour community, who we know he regularly reached out to personally.
"Tom spoke openly and honestly about the impact of the disease and in doing so, helped to raise awareness of the devastation caused by brain tumours.
“We’re really grateful to Siobhan for taking on the 10,000 Steps a Day in February challenge as it’s only with the support of people like her that we’re able to progress our research into brain tumours and improve the outcome for patients like Tom who are forced to fight this awful disease.”
Brain Tumour Research funds sustainable research at dedicated centres in the UK. It also campaigns for the Government and the larger cancer charities to invest more in research into brain tumours to speed up new treatments for patients and, ultimately, to find a cure.
The charity has called for a national annual spend of £35 million to improve survival rates and patient outcomes in line with other cancers such as breast cancer and leukaemia, and is also campaigning for greater repurposing of drugs.
To sign up to the charity challenge, people are invited to join a special Brain Tumour Research Facebook Group or set up a JustGiving page.
To donate to Siobhan’s fundraising page, visit: facebook.com/groups/1300138003889996/user/1004400807/
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here