The funeral of an Afghanistan veteran and Green Beret who died after collapsing during the London Marathon will be held today in Fife.
Captain David Seath, originally from Cowdenbeath, but based in Plymouth, Devon, was a fire support team commander in 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery.
The 31-year-old suffered a suspected cardiac arrest while running the 26.2-mile course on Sunday April 24 and later died in hospital.
He will be laid to rest following a funeral in St Margaret’s RC Memorial Church, Dunfermline, led by parish priest Father Chris Heenan.
A family notice says the service will be a “celebration of David’s life” and urges mourners to wear bright colours.
Capt Seath fell ill at the 23-mile mark while taking part in the race.
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.
“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.”
