£200,000 pledged for charity of runner Claire Squires who died in London Marathon

 

Donations to an "inspirational" runner who collapsed and died during yesterday's London Marathon passed £200,000 this evening as money continued to flood into her fund-raising website.

Claire Squires, a hairdresser from North Kilworth, Leicestershire, collapsed in Birdcage Walk near St James's Park, on the final stretch of the 26.2-mile course.

The 30-year-old, who was running for Samaritans, was given medical attention by paramedics but died at the scene yesterday afternoon, organisers said.

Thousands of people have made donations on her JustGiving website today, raising the total from £500 to more than £200,000 as of late evening on Monday as news of her death continues to spread. There were more than 9,300 separate donations.

Tributes have also flooded in, with messages left for Ms Squires on the JustGiving page and Twitter.

Close friend Nicola Short paid tribute to Claire earlier today, describing her as an "inspiration" who brought laughter and love to everyone's life.

The pair climbed Mount Kilimanjaro for the RAF Association last year, raising £1,500 for the charity.

Paying tribute to her friend on the association's website, Ms Short said: "Claire is an inspiration to us all. She brought laughter and love to everyone's life. She will be sorely missed by all.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends at this time."

In a statement on its website today, the association, which works to support serving and former RAF personnel and their families, said: "It is with great sadness that the RAF Association has heard of the tragic death of Claire Squires, 30, following the London Marathon on Sunday.

"Claire was a wonderfully vibrant and energetic person, who was a keen charity supporter and loved by all who knew her. Claire's efforts in support of the RAF Association helped to raise hundreds of pounds for our charity and that is something for which we will always be grateful.

"In 2010 she climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and also took part in other fundraising events in support of the RAF Family in recent years."

Meanwhile Catherine Johnstone, chief executive of Samaritans, said the organisation was deeply saddened at news of her death.

She said: "We are devastated following the tragic death of one of our marathon runners and are supporting the family through this very difficult time. Our thoughts are with everyone who knew her.

"We appreciate all that our marathon runners do. It is with their support, commitment and fundraising efforts that that we are able to offer our vital service for people with nowhere else to turn."

A statement on the London Marathon website said: "The organisers of the Virgin London Marathon would like to express their sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.

"We would like to emphasise that our immediate concern is for the family of the deceased. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with them at this difficult time."

Tests to establish why Ms Squires collapsed as she neared the finish line are expected to take place in the coming days.

She died with the finishing line only one bend away, after 25 miles of the marathon.

Ms Squires was a hairdresser at Moko hair salon in Church Street, Market Harborough.

Today a stylist at the salon said Ms Squires' family had been in touch and asked them not to comment on her death and to respect their privacy. She added that the family did not wish to say anything at this time.

Ms Squires is the 11th participant to die since the event began in 1981.

PA

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Top stories
News in pictures
World news in pictures
UK news in pictures
UK news in pictures
More stories
       
Independent
Travel Shop
India and Shimla
14 nights from only £1899pp Find out more
Prague city break
Three nights from £199pp Find out more
4* Soreda hotel break, Malta
Seven nights all-inclusive from £399pp Find out more
Independent Dating
and  

By clicking 'Search' you
are agreeing to our
Terms of Use.

iJobs Job Widget
iJobs General

SEN Teacher Warrington

£85 - £120 per day: Randstad Education Cheshire: We are currently recruiting f...

Telesales Executive

£16000 - £23000 per annum + OTE £23k - £45k: Connex Education: Connex Educatio...

Telesales Executive

£16000 - £23000 per annum + OTE £23k - £45k: Connex Education: Connex Educatio...

Early Years and Reception Teacher

£85 - £120 per day: Randstad Education Chester: Day to Day job opportunities f...

Day In a Page

'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'

Masculinity in crisis?

'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'
Have US shock jocks gone too far?

Have US shock jocks gone too far?

An incendiary remark from Rush Limbaugh may be the beginning of the end for outspoken right-wing US broadcasters
The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey pays more income tax than big cities of the North

The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey

Elmbridge pays more income tax than big cities of the North
Heavenly Bodies

Heavenly Bodies

Michael Landy's artistic marriage made in heaven... and hell
'He will always be a friend': Jackie Stewart backs Polanski

'He will always be a friend'

Jackie Stewart backs Roman Polanski
The price of pacifism: Refusing to go to war is finally being recognised as a brave act

The price of pacifism

From the Second World War refusenik to the 19-year-old Israeli, Holly Williams talks to five people who risked shame and suffering to take a stand as conscientious objector.
'It was mass hysteria': Jason Isaacs on groupies, theatre bores and snogging James Bond

Jason Isaacs: Groupies, theatre bores and James Bond

To millions, Jason Isaacs is one of Harry Potter's arch enemies – but his wife prefers him as a Scottish TV detective.
Notes from a small island: Is Sealand an independent 'micronation' or an illegal fortress?

Sealand: 'Micronation' or illegal fortress?

Thomas Hodgkinson spent a week at the tiny platform off the Suffolk coast to find out.
Not a bad bone: Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

If you ignore cutlets and ribs, you'll risk missing out on some delicious and easy meals, says our chef.
The experts' guide to summer: From getting fit for the beach to recreating that Olympic buzz

The experts' guide to summer

From getting fit for the beach to recreating that Olympic buzz
Sex, drugs and fast cars: The legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing

Legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing

Early glimpses of Ron Howard's film Rush suggest it will portray Hunt as a high-living lothario, with an insatiable appetite for partying.
Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation when using drugs and alcohol. It was hurting my life'

Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation'

The next Vanilla Ice or the next Eminem? Macklemore doesn't have a record contract – but he does have the UK's biggest-selling single of the year.
Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes

Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes

Sri Lankan cuisine is light, sunny, wonderfully spiced – and so easy to cook from scratch. Just as soon as you've broken into the coconut, that is.
Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Doctors are hailing the revamp of a Bath neonatal unit, where babies sleep more and feed better, as the model for patient care
One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

Epecuen was submerged under 10 metres of water in 1985. Now the floods have gone – and 83-year-old Pablo Novak has moved back in