‘It’s the most selfless thing’
A young man from Coxheath who lost his mum to cancer has helped his first family using a new charity set up in her name.
Tom Mackelden, 24, launched the Tania Mackelden Foundation last month to provide support for grieving relatives.
Last week it donated £2,000 to the Appleton family from
Newington. Mum Michelle lost her battle with bowel cancer in October last year, aged 37, leaving behind her two children Ella, 14, and Lewis, 13, and her fiancé Scott, who has since adopted them.
They are going to use the money for a trip to Turkey.
Ms Appleton’s niece, Jade Hawkesford, nominated them for the fund after seeing an appeal from Tom, who she described as “selfless”, on social media.
She said: “When I found out we won I was in shock and very emotional. The family deserve it, it would be nice for them to go away and relax.”
Scott was set to marry Michelle when the tragedy happened.
The 44-year-old roofer said: “We met three years ago, she was the love of my life.”
When he received the cheque he said: “I cried my eyes out, it’s the most selfless thing someone has ever done for me.
“I couldn’t see myself affording a holiday, but the kids deserve one.”
Tom said: “I’m over the moon to be able to do this for a family in need, that’s what the foundation is all about.
“As soon as Jade nominated Scott and the kids and I got an understanding of their story I couldn’t not help.
“Seeing their reaction was absolutely priceless and I can’t wait to raise more money and help more families in the future.”
The cash was earned at a glitzy ball to launch the foundation last month.
The charity is one in a long list of endeavours carried out by Tom to keep the memory of his mother alive.
Tania, from Staplehurst, died aged 48 in 2017. She was later found to have been a victim of morgue monster David Fuller.