DONATIONS are flooding in to a charity page raising money in honour of a runner who died after taking part in the Southend Half Marathon.

The Echo reported yesterday how friends and family had set up the page in memory of dedicated father Nick Palmer, 37, of Shoebury Road, Great Wakering, after his sudden death on Sunday.

In just a few hours, £2,000 had been pledged to Great Ormond Street Hospital, which Nick had raised cash for in the past.

Yesterday evening, the total neared £5,000 as more than 250 generous residents dug into their pockets for the cause.

The children’s hospital cared for Nick’s son, George, six, when he was younger.

Friends and family have set up www.justgiving.com/NickPalmer MemorialFund in Nick’s memory.