24/04/2012

Family Pays Tribute To Marathon Runner Claire Squires

The woman who died while competing in the London Marathon has been described by her family as, "incredible, inspirational, beautiful and driven".

Named as Claire Squires, from Leicestershire, the 30-year-old collapsed on the final stretch of the 26.2-mile course.

In a statement her family said: "She was loved by so many and is dearly missed by all of us."

Donations to her fundraising page have soared since her death on Sunday, with more than £300,000 being raised so far.

Her family urged people to continue making donations for her selected charity, Samaritans.

Catherine Johnstone, chief executive of the Samaritans, said the charity had been "overwhelmed" by the response following the death.

"Claire chose to run the marathon for Samaritans as her mother Cilla Squires has been a volunteer for the charity for 24 years," she said.

"This is an incredibly sad time for Claire's family and all those who knew her.

"These donations will be put into a tribute fund and, following discussions with the family, will go towards projects they feel would have been important to Claire."

(H)


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