THOUSANDS of pounds have been raised for the family of a runner “loved by everyone” after he tragically died during the Southend Half Marathon.

Bradley Clark, 25, passed away after collapsing half a mile from the finish line during the event on June 9.

Now, more than £8,500 has been raised to help his grieving family pay for funeral costs after his friends set up an online fundraiser.

The GoFundMe page, describes Bradley as “Our dear friend Brad Clark. Brad was the nicest bloke you would ever meet.

“Liked and loved by everyone, the life and soul wherever he was, always smiling and always made us laugh with not a bad bone in his body.

“Full of banter but would go out his way to help anyone and never asked for anything in return. Things just won’t be the same without him.

“Our hearts have been torn out and a massive hole left in our lives that could never be filled.

“We have set up this page to assist the family in funeral and memorial costs as no one would ever plan for this eventuality at such a young age. Until we meet again my friend.”

Emergency services, including Essex Police and multiple ambulance crews, as well as the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance, were called to the scene of Mess Road in Shoebury on June 9.

However, despite the best efforts of paramedics, Bradley was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.

This sad incident comes ten years after another runner, Nick Palmer, lost his life at the finish line of the Southend Half Marathon.

The Finish Line Fund was set up in his memory and has handed out over £70,000 in charity grants.

The Southend Half Marathon is run and organised by Havens hospices to raise funds to support its work at Little Havens Hospice and Fair Havens Hospice.

To donate, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/our-dear-friend-brad-clarke