Donations to marathon runner top £600,000

Donations continue to pour in to Claire Squires’ JustGiving page after the young runner’s death during the London Marathon.

Ms Squires was almost into the home straight of Sunday’s 26.2 mile race when she collapsed. Paramedics attended to her but she died at the scene.

Her JustGiving page had totalled around £400 on Sunday but since her death, more than 50,000 people have gone onto the page to make a donation and express their condolences.

The 30-year-old’s death has touched a nerve in the nation as donations soared past £600,000.

Her family described her as an “inspirational” person as they encouraged people to continue giving.

"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," they said in a statement.

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

"Her family appreciate the kind messages posted online very much.

"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.

"For Claire and the Samaritans, please keep the donations coming.

"Don't stop giving, just like her. It's what she would have wanted."

Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson said “Claire will save lives” as he revealed he had made a “private donation”.

Ms Squires, a hairdresser from North Kilworth, Leicestershire, had chosen to run for the Samaritans, reportedly following the death of her brother Grant from an overdose in 2001.

Her mother Cilla has been a volunteer with the charity for more than 20 years.

Catherine Johnstone, Chief Executive of Samaritans, said: “This is an incredibly difficult time for Claire Squires’ family and friends, and for Samaritans and all our volunteers.

“We are truly humbled by the reaction from the public following Claire’s tragic death, and are overwhelmed by the support they have shown. At an appropriate time we will be speaking to Claire’s family about what they feel she would have liked these donations to fund.”

She welcomed JustGiving’s decision to waive its fee on donations to Squires’ page. The fundraising website usually charges around 5% of donations to help cover maintenance costs.

A statement on the JustGiving website reads: "Out of respect for Claire’s memory, we will be donating our fees back to the Samaritans.

"Yesterday the JustGiving site saw a record number of visits, with over 10,000 people donating together at any given time. This huge wave of sympathy continues today.

"The huge groundswell of support for the Samaritans in Claire’s memory is a moving example of the power of the internet for good."