Donations in memory of tragic marathon runner pass £300,000

Claire Squires, 30, collapsed in Birdcage Walk, near St James’s Park, on the final stretch of the 26.2-mile course on Sunday.

Already well over £300,000 has been donated to her JustGiving fundraising page. She was raising money for the Samaritans charity, reportedly following the death of her brother Grant from an overdose in 2001.

The family said in a statement: “Words cannot explain what an incredible, inspirational, beautiful and driven person she was. She was loved by so many and is dearly missed by all of us.”

They urged people to continue making donations.

They said: “On behalf of Claire’s family and all those who knew and loved her we would like to say thank you so much for everyone’s support.

“Claire would be so happy and overwhelmed with the incredible support that has been offered by thousands of people from all over the world.

“Words cannot explain what an incredible, inspirational, beautiful and driven person she was. She was loved by so many and is dearly missed by all of us.”

Miss Squires, a hairdresser from North Kilworth, Leicestershire, was running the marathon for the Samaritans because her mother Cilla has volunteered with the charity for more than 20 years.

She was also motivated by the death of her brother Grant who took an overdose in 2001, according to reports.

Yesterday Catherine Johnstone, chief executive of the Samaritans, said the charity had been “overwhelmed” by the response following Miss Squires’s death.

Ms Johnstone said: “We desperately wish that it was not under these circumstances but we have been overwhelmed by the response from people donating in Claire’s memory.

“These donations will, following discussions with the family, go towards projects they feel would have been important to Claire.”