The mother of Claire Squires, who died in the last stretch of the London Marathon while raising money for the Samaritans this year, has agreed a plan with the charity for how to use the £1m raised as a result of her death.
Funding will go towards new online projects in order to reach more vulnerable people, and on developing a mobile app to support people 'on the go'. It will also help fund a partnership with Cruse Bereavement to enhance support to those bereaved by suicide and on developing an annual fundraising day in Claire's memory, which will launch in 2014.
Claire was one of 80 Samaritans fundraisers running the marathon on 22 April. She had chosen to do so in support of her mother, Cilla Squires' 24 years of volunteer work with the charity. Upon her death of natural causes at the event, the public was inspired to continue donating, raising over £1m through Claire's JustGiving page for the support charity.
Samaritans advised at the time it would be working with Claire's family to decide where to spend the funds.
The funding will also be used to provide continued support to Samaritans Banbury & District branch, Cilla's branch.
Cilla Squires said: "We have been completely overwhelmed by the support we have received over the past few months since we lost Claire. The money donated in Claire’s memory leaves us lost for words and it has been a great comfort to know that Claire touched so many people.
"She would have been excited to know that so much money had been raised, and we have worked so hard to make sure that it is being used the way Claire would have wanted."
Catherine Johnstone, chief executive, at Samaritans added:
“No one at Samaritans will forget Sunday 22 April 2012 or the days that followed. The staggering amount of money donated in Claire’s memory will create a lasting legacy at Samaritans.
“We will continue to work closely with Claire’s family and friends, to make sure that the projects, in Claire’s name, reflect how she would have wanted the fund to be used, helping and providing support to those in need.”
