Runners turned up in pink in memory of a young Hampshire woman who died from sudden adult death syndrome.

More than 50 running enthusiasts wore the colour when taking part in the Eastleigh Parkrun in memory of Claire Reed, who died from the condition last year aged just 22.

The run was held at Fleming Park leisure centre.

Proud widower Andy Reed, of Sand Martin Close, Eastleigh, said: “It went really well. The course was a bit boggy, which made it a tough run, but it was all for a good cause.

“We had 50-odd people turn up wearing pink which had a good impact. We are expecting to raise around £750-£1,000.

“Claire liked to keep fit and was a regular user of the Fleming Park gym. Running was not her favourite thing but she did runs on a number of occasions.

“One of the shocking things about this is that Claire was fit and healthy. I had never heard of the syndrome before and this run is to raise awareness of it.

“It was touching to see so many people turn up, everyone backing what we are trying to do.”

The event comes as the Daily Echo continues its campaign calling for life-saving defibrillators to be placed into schools – a call backed by Claire’s family.

Last week we told how her dad Graham Hunter and his fellow Botley parish councillors have approved the purchase of two community defibrillators for their village, with two more set to follow, to ensure nothing similar happens there.

Mr Hunter, 61, of Salwey Road, Botley, said: “A defibrillator with CPR increases someone’s survival rate by 75 per cent, so it is very important in rural areas for people to have access to one as fast as possible.

“It may have made the difference if Claire had access to one. It took the ambulance a long time to find her and the weather was terrible, so everything was against her. We totally support the Daily Echo’s campaign to get more out there.”

We launched our Save a Life in Schools campaign after 16-year-old Sam Mangoro’s life was saved by teachers using a defibrillator after he collapsed during a PE lesson at Mountbatten School in Romsey.

Sam is now recovering and his family have also backed the campaign.