A man who lost his fiancée to cancer and now cares for her two children is the first to benefit from a newly-formed charity.

Tom Mackelden, 24, from Coxheath, launched the Tania Mackelden Foundation in memory of his late mum last month as a way of providing support for grieving families.

The hairdresser passed away in February 2017, aged 48, after breast cancer spread to her liver, rib cage, bone marrow, spine, and brain.

Spurred on by the gut-wrenching news last year that she had then become a victim of necrophiliac David Fuller, Tom launched the organisation so that he could turn his trauma into something positive.

The charity's first act has been to donate £2,000 to a grieving family from Newington near Sittingbourne for a holiday.

Michelle Appleton lost her life to bowel cancer in October last year, aged just 37, leaving behind her fiancé Scott and her two children Ella, 14 and Lewis,13.

Her niece, Jade Hawkesford a 27-year-old finance manager, nominated the family for a helping hand from the foundation after seeing an advert on social media.

Jade said she was "devastated" about the loss of her aunt, who she had a close relationship with.

She said: "When I found out we won I was in shock and very emotional."

She continued: "They deserve it, it would be nice for them to go away and relax."

She praised Tom as "selfless", she added: "He's raising awareness, trying to help other families."

Scott Appleton was set to marry Michelle when the tragedy happened.

'I cried my eyes out, it's the most selfless thing someone has ever done for me'

The 44-year-old roofer said: "We met three years ago, she was the love of my life, it's just unbelievable."

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 do deserve a holiday."

In a heart-felt moment, Scott explained that when Michelle passed, her family gave him the wedding ring he was meant to receive on the day.

He continued: "I've lost Michelle, but I gained a family."

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.

"It’s made all the hard work that went into the Gatsby ball worth it, seeing their reaction was absolutely priceless and I can’t wait to raise more money and help more families in the future."

The charity is one in a long list of endeavours carried out by Tom to keep the memory of his mother alive.

The 24-year-old has raised more than £30,000 for Cancer Research in the past five years and officially launched the Tania Mackelden Foundation last month, with a Great Gatsby themed ball.

He raised more than £2,500 at the event, attended by more than 100 people.

Tom is also organising a charity football match at the Gallagher Stadium on Maidstone on July 3, which jade will be volunteering at.

For more about the Tania Mackelden Foundation click here.