Donations to the Cumbrian chef who died after collapsing in the London Marathon have reached more than £150,000.

The influx of donations comes as chefs Jamie Park and Tom Peters are asking fellow runners to join them this Sunday in completing the last 3.7 miles of the London Marathon in memory of their friend Matt Campbell, who passed away on Sunday.

Jamie, who is the head chef at Adam Handling’s The Frog E1, and Tom, who is the Senior Sous Chef at Roux at Parliament Square, first met Matt whilst they were filming as contestants on MasterChef: The Professionals in December.

The three became incredibly close and carried on cooking at events and in each other’s restaurants following the series. Tom and Matt were both running the marathon on Sunday when Matt collapsed at the 22.5 mile mark, while running for the Windermere-based Brathay Trust.

Tom Peters said: “I met Matt in the MasterChef kitchen, and something that should have been so competitive and nerve-racking just became so fun and it was inspiring to work next to such an interesting chef.

"He was infectious with his passion, not only for cooking but for healthy eating and also running. He helped me massively with my preparation for the London marathon.

"The 3.7 miles we are running on Sunday is symbolic for Matt, as we’ll be finishing the rest of the marathon course for him. The #MilesForMatt has become a nationwide event taking place over the next week, with everyone involved donating to the Brathay Trust.”

Jamie said: "Matt was the sort of guy you like from the first day you meet him, and over the past 12 months I’ve known him he has inspired me inside and outside the kitchen.

"As a cook he was incredibly clever, creative and conscious about what he was feeding people. He changed my perception about what it is to be a chef; he was a nutritionist, eco warrior and humanitarian, all at the same time as being “just a chef”. People who see the whole picture don’t come along very often and he helped me do the same.

"As a person he was very humble, he had time for everyone and he was just the nicest guy. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten. My thoughts are with his family and friends.”

Starting at Shadwell Station, Jamie and Tom will “finish” the last 3.7 miles in Matt’s honour on the pavement along the London Marathon route.

The chefs are calling on anyone and everyone to join them, invite friends and family, and walk, jog, or run together in the former L'Enclume chef's memory. Runners are also invited to donate to Matt’s JustGiving page.

Starting at Shadwell Station, Jamie and Tom will “finish” the last 3.7 miles in Matt’s honour on the pavement along the London Marathon route.

All runners are asked to meet at Shadwell Station at 2pm on Sunday.