A FUNDRAISING appeal to help renovate the Marx Memorial Library (MML) will be launched this week after the building sustained serious damage following a flood.

The library’s collection of 60,000 books was put at risk on September 24 after heavy rainfall led to water gushing through the building.

MML staff and trustees will launch a Lenin 150 fundraising campaign appeal on Friday, with the aim of raising £50,000 by April 22 2020, Vladimir Lenin’s 150th birthday.

The event will also pay tribute to the volunteers, the London Fire Brigade and Islington Heritage staff who came to the library’s rescue.

Archivist and library manager Meirian Jump said: “In our time of need Marx House was full of willing volunteers doing everything from mopping up to offering expert collection care advice.

“It was wonderful and overwhelming, but more than anything it demonstrated to us what this place — our history, our archives and our education work — means to so many.

“But this is just the beginning. What happened on 24 September 2019 has highlighted the need for an urgent programme of works to restore our historic building, protect our collections and transform access to Marx House.”