Cllr Paul Lorber will run the Bratislava race in aid of Friends of Barham Library

A councillor and campaigner is bravely taking on the cold to compete in his first ever marathon in aid of his volunteer library today.

Cllr Paul Lorber, leader of the borough’s Liberal Democrats group, is in Slovakia to take part in Bratislava marathon to raise money for Friends of Barham Library.

Cllr Lorber, who was born in Slovakia, will be taking on the 26-mile challenge despite parts of the country being swamped in a foot of snow this week.

The challenge – which has so far raised more than £1,000 – will go towards the campaign group Friends of Barham Library (FOBL) who are trying to raise the funds to eventually reopen Barham Library.

The reading room, in Barham Park, was one of six shut down by Brent Council in October 2011.

FOBL have now been campaigning for two years for their library and currently run a volunteer Library and bookshop from shop premises at 428 Wembley High Road.

Joining Cllr Lorber is Wembley’s own Ironman Peter Corcoran a veteran of numerous marathon challenges.

He said: “Paul has been training very hard through the long winter and is determined to finish his Marathon especially since the organisers have changed the route so that it now passes his old home in Bratislava”.

Supporters can also get involved by guessing Cllr Lorber’s finishing time.

The 10 people guessing a time closest will be able to pick a free book of their choice from Friends of Barham Library large collection.

To make a donation go to www.virginmoneygiving/paullorber.