Rob Berry: donations for London Marathon runner who died exceed £50,000

 
Runner: Robert Berry

Donations poured in today to the charity page set up by the runner who died in the London marathon as it emerged he had struggled with “nightmare” pollution during training.

The total had exceeded £55,000 by this evening as it emerged that father-of-two Rob Berry had complained repeatedly about breathing difficulties after work-outs.

Mr Berry, 42, an IT expert from Newbury, Berkshire, wrote in an online training diary that he had been forced to use an asthma inhaler three times in a week as a result of the Saharan smog that descended on the UK two weeks ago. Normally he would only use it three times a year.

Today his JustGiving page had received more than 3,000 donations, surpassing his £1,700 fundraising target for the National Osteoporosis Society.

Mr Berry was raising money for the society in thanks for the care it had given his “inspirational” mother Ann Berry, 73, from Mortlake, who was diagnosed with the brittle bone condition 20 years ago.

Donations pouring in: Robert Berry's Marathon fundraising page

Mr Berry, who lived with his wife Gwen and their children aged 12 and nine, became the 12th runner to die in the event’s 34 year history. He was treated at the scene by four consultant doctors, including a specialist in emergency medicine, but was pronounced dead at St Mary’s hospital in Paddington.

Mr Berry began training for the race soon after securing his place last May. He completed the Windsor, Marlow and Reading half-marathons and had last month ran up to 21 miles in preparation for Sunday’s event.

However he had to use his Ventolin inhaler at the end of March. after feeling “a bit wheezy” after a run. On April 1 he wrote: “What a nightmare this morning was. Yesterday I did a gentle five miles as my breathing still not too good... Today on the other hand my eyes were itching, nose running and breathing a big struggle.”

Hundreds of people paid tribute as they donated to his charity page. Two years ago, donations to the Samaritans appeal of Claire Squires, the last runner to die, soared above £1 million.

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Today Victoria Hauser wrote: “So sad - Claire Squires was my very dear friend who died in the same way and I know the awful pain your friends and family are feeling. You have lost your life helping others.”

TV presenter Davina McCall, who recently cycled, swam and ran a marathon to raise funds for Sport Relief, tweeted: “So so sad about Robert Berry. Thoughts are with his family.”

Runners mass at the finish line after the race Picture: Nigel Howard

A runner called Cally wrote: “Although I didn’t know you the camaraderie we all shared during the marathon brought us all together. I am terribly sad that this tragedy happened. You were obviously a great man.”

Helen, a student, wrote: “I‘m sorry it’s not much as I’m a student but I wanted to contribute. The world needs more kind people like you. Hope you raise a lot of money.”

Karen Hicks wrote: “So very sorry that you died whilst doing so much good for others. May your legacy live on and inspire us all. My love and thoughts are with your family.”

At the family home, his wife answered the door flanked by their two children and asked to left in peace to grieve. “Not at this time. It’s still too soon but thank you for coming,” she said.

The Standard yesterday revealed thousands of people are dying prematurely from the “invisible killer” of pollution in the capital, prompting an inquiry by the Commons environmental audit committee.

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