Hundreds of soldiers and mourners wearing bright colours attend funeral of Captain who died during London Marathon
David Seath was three miles from finishing the race when he collapsed and sadly passed away in hospital shortly after
HUNDREDS of mourners have gathered for the funeral of the army captain who collapsed and died during the London Marathon.
Afghanistan veteran Captain David Seath, from Cowdenbeath in Fife, was three miles from completing the race when he suffered a suspected cardiac arrest on Sunday 24 April.
Family members, friends and military colleagues have gathered to say goodbye to the beloved hero.
He will be laid to rest following a funeral in St Margaret's RC Memorial Church, Dunfermline, after a service led by parish priest Father Chris Heenan.
A family notice published in the Dunfermline Press said the service would be a ''celebration of David's life'' and urged mourners to wear bright colours.
Maj Jim McCaffery, 7 (Sphinx) Commando Battery, which is based in Arbroath, told the service: "It is with great sadness that were are here today to say farewell to Captain David Seath.
"David was an inspiration to all of us. I genuinely could not have wished for a finer officer.
"He will be sorely missed and our thoughts and prayers are with his family."
The 31-year-old, who was a fire support team commander in 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, died in hospital after falling ill at the 23-mile mark.
His girlfriend subsequently told how his death had left a ''devastatingly large hole in our lives".
Gaby Schoenberger paid tribute to him on Facebook last week and thanked the public for their support.
She wrote: ''I cannot begin to describe the pain that I, his family and friends are feeling right now.
"It doesn't make sense and a character like his being taken away so viciously leaves such a devastatingly large hole in our lives."
Capt Seath's mother Libby also paid tribute to him, saying: ''David has achieved more in 31 years than most people do in 70.
"He lived his life on the edge and to the full. He was running to raise money for Help For Heroes, a cause which was very important to him.''
Following his death, Capt Seath's friends and colleagues vowed to continue to raise money for Help for Heroes and walk the final three miles of the marathon course.
More than £100,000 has been donated to a JustGiving page in his memory while about £80,000 has been raised for the charity on his own page.
The fundraising page in memory of Capt Seath was set up by Capt James Walker-McClimens of the 7th Parachute Royal Horse Artillery.
Having served with Capt Seath in the 19th Regiment The Royal Artillery The Highland Gunners in Tidworth, they went on tour together to Afghanistan in 2012, returning at the same time.
Capt Walker-McClimens said: ''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 was raising money for Help For Heroes, so we just want to carry on that theme.''