Marathon runner's family 'overwhelmed' by donations

The family of a man who died after running the London Marathon said they are "overwhelmed" by the donations that have been made in his honour.

In a statement issued by organisers of the marathon, Robert Berry's family said they were overwhelmed by the heartfelt messages and contributions to the National Osteoporosis Society, adding:

Read: Donations surge for London Marathon runner who died

A charity has said it is touched by the "incredible generosity" shown by the public after donations to the fundraising page of a London Marathon runner who died after completing the race soared.

Donations on Rob Berry's JustGiving page have increased to more than £62,000.

A spokesman for the National Osteoporosis Society charity said:

Read: Runner had complained breathing was a 'big struggle'

More than £50,000 has been donated to a charity in honour of a runner who died after completing the London Marathon on Sunday.

Robert Berry's JustGiving page has seen over 4,500 donations amounting to £51,229 in the hours after his death was announced.

The 42-year-old was raising money for the National Osteoporosis Society when he collapsed and later died at St Mary's Hospital in central London.

Mr Berry, who worked in IT, had complained of breathing difficulties as he trained in the week leading up to his death.

Read: Osteoporosis charity 'saddened' by runner's death

A runner who died after collapsing at the finish line of the London Marathon had complained of breathing difficulties during his training for the race.

Robert Berry said breathing was a "big struggle" in the weeks leading up to the event in a blog on his website, and suggested that high pollution levels and the Sahara dust could have contributed to his troubles.

"What a nightmare this morning was. Yesterday I did a gentle 5 miles as my breathing still not too good and knees a little achy." Today on the other hand my eyes were itching, nose running and breathing a big struggle, also in the office all day after the gym," the 42-year-old wrote.

"Was talking to Nicola from the National Osteoporsis Society via email and she seems to think this is not hay fever but due to pollution and the dust from the Sahara. Hope so as I don't want to be running like this during the Marathon."

Donations for the 42-year-old's charity, the National Osteoporosis Society, have topped £35,000 since he was named by organisers.

The National Osteoporosis Society has paid tribute to one of its runners Robert Berry, who died after completing the London Marathon. Claire Severgnini, the CEO of the charity said her "deepest sympathies" were with his family "at this tragic time":

Read: Man who died after completing marathon named

Read: Berry ran marathon in support of Osteoporosis charity

More than £28,000 has been donated to charity in honour of a runner who died after collapsing at the finishing line of the London Marathon.

Robert Berry, 42, was running to raise money for the National Osteoporosis Society when he died.

By 8.30am this morning, over 2,000 donations on his JustGiving page had helped to raise over £28,582.

Mr Berry said on his donation page that he was supporting the charity in tribute to his "inspirational" mother who was diagnosed with a brittle bone condition at the age of 52.

Read: London Marathon 'tinged with sadness' after death

A 42-year-old man who died after completing the London Marathon yesterday has been named as Robert Berry, organisers confirmed.

A statement from Virgin Money London Marathon reads: "It is with regret that we can now confirm that Mr Robert Berry, aged 42, collapsed at the finish of the London Marathon.

"He was immediately taken to one of our medical facilities where he was treated by four consultants, including one in emergency medicine. He was transferred to St. Mary’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Read: Man, 42, dies after completing London Marathon

"The organisers of the Virgin Money London Marathon would like to continue to express their sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr Berry and our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with them all at this difficult time".

Well wishers have donated more than £11 000 to the charity supported by a runner who died at the finishing line of the London marathon.

Robert Berry, 42, was running to raise money for his "inspirational" mother, who had been diagnosed with a brittle bone condition.

He was raising money for the National Osteoporosis Society, when he collapsed and died despite receiving medical help at St Mary's Hospital in London yesterday.

On his JustGiving donations page, Mr Berry said he was undertaking the marathon after his mother, Ann Berry, was diagnosed with the condition aged 52.The total amount raised at 7pm stood at almost £3000.But by 9pm, there were more than 800 donations and the total amount raised stood at £11,284.13.

A man who died after completing the London Marathon yesterday was raising money for the National Osteoporosis Society, according to his JustGiving page.

Robert Berry said on his donation page that the charity had supported his mother, who was diagnosed with Osteoporosis at the age of 52.

The 42-year-old collapsed after the finish line and was given immediate medical attention, the organisers said.

So far, £2,152.65 has been raised for the charity.

Read: Man who died after completing marathon named

The London Marathon was "tinged with sadness" after a man collapsed and died at the finish line, the event's organiser has said.

The 42-year-old man, who has not yet been identified, collapsed immediately after finishing the race but later died in hospital.

"We did very unfortunately have one death of a runner, who had finished and our thoughts are very much with the friends and family of that runner," Hugh Brasher, race director of the Virgin Money London Marathon, said.

"Overall it was a fantastic day, but it always is tinged with a little bit of sadness when something like that happens."

A female competitor from Sierra Leone, who finished 20th in the women's race, has also gone missing.