Hundreds bid farewell to marathon runner who touched the nation

More than 600 family and friends turned out to pay their respects to marathon runner Claire Squires at her funeral today.

Miss Squires, 30, was described by her younger sister Penny as “beautiful inside and out”.

The service at St Andrew’s Church, North Kilworth, Leicestershire, was led by local Baptist minister and friend of the family, Pastor Johnny Hutton.

He said: “Many people have said that Claire was so much like that Samaritan who was prepared to help someone regardless of who they were or where they came from.

“Claire’s life has inspired others to do the same and her tragic death has caught people’s attention so that she has left this amazing legacy.”

Miss Squires collapsed and died during the London Marathon with less than a mile to go to the finish line.

She was running for the Samaritans, a charity her mother Cilla has been a long-time volunteer for. On the day of the marathon on 22 April, she had raised around £500 but after news of her death emerged, donations to her JustGiving page rocketed. Pledges currently stand at more than £913,000.

A gold plaque with her name engraved on it has been placed in the churchyard.