Man's walk aims to highlight bipolar diagnosis wait

Simon Kitchen, whose brother-in-law lived with bipolar, is taking on the walk in March

A charity boss is aiming to walk 124 miles (200km) to highlight the wait people face in getting diagnosed with bipolar disorder in the UK.

Bipolar UK CEO Simon Kitchen, from Hexham in Northumberland, will walk a route between Durham and Holy Island.

According to the charity, it takes nine and a half years to get a diagnosis and the trek is expected to take nine-and-a-half days to symbolise that.

"Reducing the delay to diagnosis will improve and save thousands of lives," Mr Kitchen said.

He will be joined by Bipolar UK trustee Jeremy Clark, who has been diagnosed with the condition, and Mr Clark's wife Daisy.

A bipolar disorder is a mental health condition which affects the mood causing it to swing from one extreme to the other.

Jeremy and Daisy Clark will take part in the walk

Mr Kitchen said: "People living with undiagnosed bipolar can experience alternating periods of debilitating low mood and periods of hypomania where they might take impulsive risks, massively overspend, and experience paranoid delusions.

"Tragically, these challenges often result in the loss of jobs, homes, and lives."

Urgent health issue

It is hoped the event will also raise funds and awareness, highlighting bipolar as an urgent health issue.

The walkers will set off from Durham Cathedral at 10:00 GMT 20 March, which is St Cuthbert’s day.

They will follow what is known as the saint's route from St Cuthbert’s final resting place in Durham to Lindisfarne, where he spent much of his life.

Mr Kitchen said: "St Cuthbert was famed for his diligence – a quality we will need in abundance to be able to complete this challenge."

If you're affected by any of the issues in this article you can find details of organisations who can help via the BBC Action Line.