Marathon death sparks £200,000 for charity

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More than £200,000 ($323,000) has been raised for the charity of a runner who died during last weekend's London Marathon.

Claire Squires, a 30-year-old hairdresser from North Kilworth, central England, was entering the home straight of the 26.2 mile race when she collapsed in Birdcage Walk near London's St James's Park.

Paramedics tried to revive Squires, running on behalf of the Samaritans, but she died at the scene on Sunday.

Since then cash has been flooding in a rate of hundreds of pounds a minute

Squires was running the marathon for the Samaritans because her mother has volunteered with the charity for more than 20 years.

She was also motivated to support the organisation due to the death of her brother, the Daily Mail reported.

Grant Squires was found dead after taking an overdose in 2001, according to the paper.

Catherine Johnstone, chief executive of the Samaritans, an organisation which counsels the depressed and suicidal, said: "Claire chose to run the marathon for Samaritans as her mother Cilla Squires has been a volunteer for the charity for 24 years."

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

"We desperately wish that it was not under these circumstances but we have been overwhelmed by the response from people donating in Claire's memory."

"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."

Tests to establish why Squires collapsed as she neared the finish line are expected to take place in the coming days.

She was the 11th runner to die in the London Marathon since the event started in 1981.