Disabled campaigner completes sponsored swim to raise money for crusade to save closed branches

A disabled campaigner, who defied the odds to complete a fundraising swim for Brent’s libraries, has been lauded as ‘remarkable’ by fellow crusaders.

Marcos Sanjurjo, suffers with Cerebral Palsy and has difficulty with his movement and eye sight.

However, undeterred, he took to the water to swim more than 150 meters in aid of his beloved Kensal Rise Library, raising �200.

The 29-year-old, who lives in Kensal Green, is a regular visitor to the Sense Anne Wall Day Care Centre for Deaf and Blind People in Barnet, and swam 20 lengths of their special hydrotherapy pool last Friday (17).

Mr Sanjurjo also spends his weekends volunteering at the Kensal Rise Pop-up Library, a temporary book tent which stands outside the closed building in Bathurst Gardens.

Speaking after the swim, he said: “It was hard work, but great fun and I had a lot of support.

“I was determined to complete it because it is for a cause I feel very strongly about, the library is so important to my community.”

Richard Cross, a campaigner for Brent SOS libraries attended the event and hailed the achievement as ‘magnificent.’ He said: “There were supporters there cheering him on all the way every time he completed a length.

“It was a very humbling display of a young mans determination and strength of character, I hope it will shame Brent for what they have done to our libraries.”

Last year, Brent council permanently shut the resource centre in Bathurst Gardens alongside Neasden, Cricklewood, Barham Park, Preston Road and Tokyngton libraries in a move which will save the local authority �1million.

Clark Mullen, Assistant Day Service Manager from Sense, who was on-hand to support Marcos during the swim, said everyone at the centre was ‘very proud’ of Marcos.

He added: “The determination and speed that Marcos accomplished the swim in was a sight to behold, what a fantastic individual!

“Marcos has huge heart and is always thinking about how he can help others.”

Marika Samson, also a member of the libraries campaign said Mr Sanjurjo showed “amazing guts and determination”.

“I never cease to be amazed by this remarkable campaign” – she added.

Marcos has so far raised �200 for Brent SOS Libraries, if you would like to sponsor him call Sense on 020 8449 0964.