A charity is being set up in tribute to a runner who died in the London Marathon this year.

Family and friends of Claire Squires are working to set up the Squires Effect, which will aim to inspire and encourage others to achieve their goals and ambitions and bring charities and fundraisers together.

The 30-year-old hairdresser, from North Kilworth, Leicestershire, collapsed a mile from the finish line of this year's marathon in April. She died at the scene despite paramedics' attempts to save her.


claire squire

Claire Squires' family are working to set up the Squires Effect


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

She was raising money for the Samaritans, with whom her mother Cilla had volunteered for more than 20 years.

A website set up for the Squires Effect says: "The Squires effect is our definition of a spark from one single event or act from one person or a group of people; which creates a domino effect and encourages us to pass on our inspiration to others.

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  • London Marathon death

    Mourners are handed red wristbands as they attend the funeral of Claire Squires at St Andrew's Church in North Kilworth, Leicestershire, after she collapsed and died less than a mile from the finishing line of London Marathon on April 22.

  • London Marathon death

    A commemorative plaque outside the funeral of Claire Squires at St Andrew's Church in North Kilworth, Leicestershire, after she collapsed and died less than a mile from the finishing line of London Marathon on April 22.

  • London Marathon death

    Mourners attend the funeral of Claire Squires at St Andrew's Church in North Kilworth, Leicestershire, after she collapsed and died less than a mile from the finishing line of London Marathon on April 22.

  • London Marathon death

    Mourners attend the funeral of Claire Squires at St Andrew's Church in North Kilworth, Leicestershire, after she collapsed and died less than a mile from the finishing line of London Marathon on April 22.

  • London Marathon death

    Scissors and a comb are left amongst floral tributes outside the funeral of hairdresser Claire Squires at St Andrew's Church in North Kilworth, Leicestershire, after she collapsed and died less than a mile from the finishing line of London Marathon on April 22.

  • London Marathon death

    Mourners attend the funeral of Claire Squires at St Andrew's Church in North Kilworth, Leicestershire, after she collapsed and died less than a mile from the finishing line of London Marathon on April 22.

  • London Marathon death

    Mourners attend the funeral of Claire Squires at St Andrew's Church in North Kilworth, Leicestershire, after she collapsed and died less than a mile from the finishing line of London Marathon on April 22.

  • London Marathon death

    Mourners look at floral tributes as they attend the funeral of Claire Squires at St Andrew's Church in North Kilworth, Leicestershire, after she collapsed and died less than a mile from the finishing line of London Marathon on April 22.


Click below for pictures of Claire Squires and her friends
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"It can motivate us to follow our dreams, goals, or even give a little something back and help the less fortunate.

"The Squires effect can also be a sign of a truly remarkable person. This doesn't mean you have to be a world leader or a CEO of a multimillion-pound business. It just means that you are a little bit more than ordinary, and give more of yourself than most."


Claire Squires was buried alongside her brother Grant, who died in 2001


One of Miss Squires' sisters, Nicola Birrell, 32, from South Kilworth, told the Leicester Mercury: "The name of the charity reflects the effect that Claire's death had on the public, and how people got behind her charity and managed to raise so much money. It was amazing.

"We want that effect to carry on so we can raise more money for charity."

:: The website can be found at http://www.squireseffect.co.uk.


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