Video: London Marathon 2012: Claire Squires 'was the most wonderful person I've ever met' A tearful Ms Houser said, "Clare was larger than life, fun-loving, bubbly, happy, cheerful, kind, giving, thoughtful, she was just the most amazing person in the world." She described Miss Squires, who collapsed and died during Sunday's Marathon less than a mile from the finish line, as "the best friend that I ever had" and one that "could never be replaced." Once Clare was a friend, she was a friend was for life. The emotional comments came as donations to Miss Squires chosen charity, the Samaritans, topped £500,000. The family of Miss Squires said in a statement: "Words cannot explain what an incredible, inspirational, beautiful and driven person she was. She was loved by so many and is dearly missed by all of us. They urged people to continue making donations on her Just Giving website. Just Giving said it would also donate its fee of around £18,000 to the charity. The website also confirmed Claire's page had attracted the largest number of donations ever received in a single day since Just Giving was launched 12 years ago.