Twitter donations soar after death of London Marathon runner
Claire Squires wanted to run the London Marathon to help her charity, the Samaritans. Unfortunately she died before she could complete the race.
Credit: Claire Squires Just Giving
The 30-year-old hairdresser from Leicestershire reckoned that it was "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".
She fell just one mile from the finish line. Paramedics were unable to save her and she died at the scene on Sunday afternoon.
She had raised over £400 when she began the Marathon, but as news of her death and details of her Just Giving page propagated around Twitter, donations flooded in.
Currently, the total stands at over £72,000 in donations with some poignant messages left on the Just Giving page.
"So sorry to hear what happened yesterday. May you rest in peace knowing what you achieved and the legacy you have now left for this amazing charity".
"From tragedy stems something amazing. What a legacy you are leaving. May it provide some comfort to your family & friends".
She raised over £1,400 for the Royal Air Force Association when she and a friend climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in March 2011 and was hoping to encourage a good response for the Samaritans.
With the sad news spreading across Twitter linking to the Just Giving page it looks like she achieved much more than she ever could have hoped for.