Claire Squires donations reach £1m

Donations for the charity chosen by the runner who died in last weekend's London Marathon have reached the £1m mark.

Claire Squires, 30, collapsed just a mile from the end of the 26-mile route on Sunday.

Money pledged to the Samaritans has steadily grown over the last week and has now officially broken the £1m barrier.

"The circumstances under which the donations have reached £1m are heartbreaking, but we would like to thank everyone for their support," said Samaritans chief executive Catherine Johnstone.

"We are deeply touched by the public's reaction to Claire Squires."

Around £180,000 of the current total is through tax breaks under the Gift Aid scheme.