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Last weekend it was the annual London Marathon. More than 37,000 runners pounded the streets of London in the UK but sadly one participant collapsed close to the end of the race, and died at the scene.

Claire Squires was aged just 30 and appeared to be fit and healthy. Tests are underway to ascertain just why Claire died. All of the runners take part in aid of a charity. People are usually fairly generous but since Claire's death a staggering amount of money has been donated.

Claire was running to raise money for the Samaritans in the UK. A little after the race her Just Giving webpage had around £500 worth of donations. As news of her death spread people from around the country and presumably elsewhere began to donate. Today, Thursday April 26, 2012, the total money raised so far on Claire's webpage was in excess of £600,000. 

The amount is hard to pinpoint as it just keeps on growing. May 2, 2012 the total is  £909,516.70 

This is a fitting tribute to Claire. The charity site has gone down on one occasion due to the amount of visitors. You too can contribute HERE

On the webpage Claire wrote, hi guys as you all know i am running the london marathon it was just going to be for fun. but its a fab opportunity to raise money for my charity the samaritans if everyone i know could donate £5.00 that would be a great help and change lives.
Please give as much as little as you can afford. JustGiving usually takes up to 6.5 per cent of donations, after gift aid is added, but has waived this in the case of Claire. This will swell the amount of money raised even further.
RIP Claire

Tags: Justgiving, RIP Claire, London Marathon, marathon death, Claire Squires, raising money for Samaritans

 
 
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The annual London Marathon began in 1981. Sadly since that first race 10 competitors have died. April 22, 2012, 30-year-old Claire Squires died close to the finishing line of the gruelling course bringing the death toll to 11. Attempts by paramedics to save her were in vain. Her cause of death is not yet known.

Claire was running for the charity The Samaritans. To all extents and purposes she appeared a healthy young woman. The previous fatality in 2007 was an even younger participant of the race. She was a 22-year-old fitness instructor.

In half of the deaths the reason has been underlying, undiagnosed heart problems. Surely this must mean that would be Marathon runners undergo a medical check before committing to running?

More than 37,000 runners pounded the streets of London as they followed the 26.2 mile course. One death may seem a small percentage but it is one too many. Ms Squires had a Just Giving Page online which is now full of heartfelt messages. Perhaps the best tribute to Claire will be to swell the amount of funds she has raised. 

On her page Claire has said she is running for fun but also because "it's a fab opportunity to raise money for my charity, the Samaritans". 

Please give generously. Thoughts are with the family. RIP

Update April 24, 2012: In just one day Claire's Just Giving page has been inundated with contributions. The total has rapidly grown from £500 to over £224,000.

Tags: London Marathon runner dies, Claire Squire, Just Giving, London Marathon