The Wanted have announced the release of a new charity single in honour of late member Tom Parker (center)
(Picture: Getty Images for BAUER)Boyband The Wanted have released a charity single in honour of late bandmate Tom Parker who died last month at the age of 33 following a battle with brain cancer.
The track entitled Gold Forever (For Tom) was first played at Parker’s funeral which took place last Wednesday in Petts Wood, south-east London.
It’s a stripped-back version of their hit Gold Forever which was originally released in 2011 for Comic Relief.
The new arrangement proved popular with fans who called for it to be released as a single.
Gold Forever (For Tom) is available to download and stream now with all proceeds going towards The Brain Tumour Charity.
Max George, Nathan Sykes, Jay McGuinness and Siva Kaneswaran - who acted as pallbearers at Parker’s emotional send-off - said: “We created a very special acoustic version of Gold Forever to be played at Tom’s memorial service. The reaction to the song was beautiful. We have decided to release the song publicly with ALL proceeds going to @thebraintumourcharity.”
A statement in a press release added: “The Wanted, Island Records and the song’s writers and producers will be donating all net proceeds to The Brain Tumour Charity; a UK-based charity dedicated to funding research, raising awareness and providing support and information to people with brain tumours.”
The “net proceeds for the first 12 months from release” will go to the charity.
Parker died on March 30, just 17 months after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.
He left behind wife Kelsey Hardwick and their two children Aurelia, two, and one-year-old Bodhi.
Hardwick confirmed the news of her husband’s death on social media.
She wrote: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we confirm Tom passed away peacefully earlier today with all of his family by his side. Our hearts are broken, Tom was the centre of our world and we can’t imagine life without his infectious smile and energetic presence.
“We are truly thankful for the outpouring of love and support and ask that we all unite to ensure Tom’s light continues to shine for his beautiful children. Thank you to everyone who has supported in his care throughout, he fought until the very end. I’m forever proud of you.”
A GoFundMe page set up in Parker’s name has so far raised more than £64,500 for charity.
