Kindhearted fundraisers have donated more than £130,000 in the name of a former Aberdeen university student and army veteran after he died while running the London Marathon.
Captain David Seath, originally from Cowdenbeath in Fife, was a fire support team commander in 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery and was running in the race to raise money for Help for Heroes.
The 31-year-old suffered a suspected cardiac arrest while running the 26.2-mile course on Sunday, leaving behind his parents Libby and Pete, brother Gary and girlfriend Gaby.
Captain Seath had hoped to raise £250 for Help for Heoes but had only managed to reach half of his target by the time of the race.
Friends and colleagues of the Army captain are now vowing to “complete what he started” by finishing the marathon course for him and continuing to raise cash for his chosen charity.
Captain James Walker-McClimens of the 7th Parachute Royal Horse Artillery set up a JustGiving page in his memory.
Having served with Capt Seath in the 19th Regiment The Royal Artillery The Highland Gunners in Tidworth, they then went on tour together to Afghanistan in 2012, returning at the same time.
“We have stayed in touch ever since, he was at my wedding last year,” said Capt Walker-McClimens.
“He was the greatest type of guy you could imagine – everyone loved him. He was funny, outgoing, generous – he was just not a bad guy in any way shape or form.”
Capt Walker-McClimens said the news has come as a complete shock to all those that knew him – and that a “whole group” of Capt Seath’s friends want to complete the marathon for him.
“In the Army we don’t like unfinished business, it was something he wanted to do – he wanted to do the full marathon, so we are going to complete it for him,” he said.
“He was raising money for Help For Heroes so we just want to carry on that theme.”
