Funeral Of Marathon Runner Claire Squires

A woman whose supporters helped raise more than £1m for charity after her death in this year's London Marathon will be buried next to her brother later.

Family and friends of Claire Squires will attend a private funeral service at St Andrew's Church in North Kilworth, Leicestershire, this afternoon.

The 30-year-old collapsed and died less than a mile from the finishing line of the 26.2-mile course on Birdcage Walk near Buckingham Palace on April 22.

Claire was running for the Samaritans, for whom her mother had worked as a volunteer for 24 years.

Donations to Miss Squires' JustGiving website leapt from £500 to more than £1m in the week following her death.

The hairdresser will be buried alongside her brother Grant following the service, which is due to begin at midday.

Mr Squires died in 2001 after reportedly becoming depressed following the death of his girlfriend in a car accident, which he survived. An inquest recorded an open verdict into the 25-year-old's death.

The funeral service, expected to last up to 40 minutes, will be conducted by the Rev Emma Davies, the parish vicar, alongside local Baptist minister Pastor Johnny Hutton.

Two hymns chosen by the family will be sung during the service and prayers said.

Miss Squires' parents, Cilla and Paul, will attend the service with her three sisters, Maxine, Nicola and Penny, and her partner Simon Van Herrewege.

The church seats 150 people but arrangements have been made to broadcast the service to well-wishers outside via a speaker system.

The family has asked that only relatives and friends send flowers and that donations in lieu are made to the Rainbows Children's Hospice in Loughborough, Leicestershire.