Charity donations rocket to more than £200,000 for hairdresser, 30, who collapsed and died on final bend of London Marathon

-Claire Squires, from Leicestershire, was on the last mile of the 26.2mile course when she fell to the ground at Birdcage Walk near St James's Park
-She had raised more than £500 for charity by running the marathon - but this today increased to over £200,000 as news of her death spread
-Shocked friends leave tribute messages online to 'brightest star in the sky'

By GRAHAM SMITH and DAVID BAKER

Tragic: Claire Squires, 30, collapsed and died while running the final stretch of yesterday's London Marathon

Thousands of people touched by the death of a 30-year-old woman running the London Marathon today impulsively donated more than £200,000 to the charity she had been raising funds for. Claire Squires collapsed at Birdcage Walk, near St James's Park, on the final stretch of yesterday's 26.2mile course.
The committed fundraiser was given medical attention at the scene but died a short time later, a statement on the marathon's official website said.
Miss Squires, a hairdresser from North Kilworth in Leicestershire, had initially raised more than £500 on JustGiving.com.
But today, in an astonishing display of public generosity, that figure has rocketed to over £200,000 thanks to strangers touched by news reports of her death.
Her fundraising page on the site encouraged her friends to sponsor her.

Home straight: Miss Squires collapsed at Birdcage Walk, near St James's Park, on the last mile of the course

Committed fundraiser: Miss Squires regularly raised money for charity

Committed fundraiser: Miss Squires (centre), pictured with Nikki Wells (left) and Penny Squires (right) takes part in a charity car wash

She wrote: 'Hi guys, as you all know I am running the London Marathon. It was just going to be for fun, but it's a fab opportunity to raise money for my charity the Samaritans.
'If everyone I know could donate £5 that would be a great help and change lives.'
A statement on the London Marathon website read: 'We would like to emphasise that our immediate concern is for the family of the deceased.
'Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with them at this difficult time.'
Today, a flurry of tributes flooded JustGiving.com in the wake of the 30-year-old's sudden death.

Generous: Miss Squires had previously climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to raise money for the RAF

Rebecca Herity wrote: 'Such an amazing girl! Miss you so much already! Beautiful angel xxx", while Jo Lovell also wrote: 'Amazing lady! xxx'.
Claire Collins-Green said: 'You are the brightest star in the sky. Love surrounds you.'
Lily Jones added: 'Thinking of you Claire, Rest In Peace.'
A fellow runner donated £20 and wrote: 'So sorry to hear the news. Rest easy - an angel for those who run the course in future years.'

Miss Squires, a hairdresser from North Kilworth in Leicestershire, had raised more than £500 for the Samaritans by running the marathon. Her death is the tenth since the sporting event began in 1981

Another friend wrote on Facebook: 'Can’t believe it. This cant be true. She was so healthy.' Yesterday's race was believed to have been Miss Squires' second attempt at the London Marathon. She has previously climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to raise money for the RAF Association.
Miss Squires died with the finishing line only one bend away.
Birdcage Walk borders St James's Park and is the last road that runners have to travel before reaching Buckingham Palace where they turn onto The Mall on which the finish line is located. Competitors do not reach Birdcage Walk until after completing 25miles of the marathon.

source: dailymail