A charity CEO has taken on the challenge of walking the path of St Cuthbert, from Durham Cathedral to Holy Island, for World Bipolar Day.
Simon Kitchen, CEO of Bipolar UK and president of the world’s first-ever Rotary Bipolar eClub, is using the event to raise awareness and vital funds to support the 1 million people in the UK living with bipolar.
He particularly wants to shine a light on the estimated 56% of people with the condition who don’t yet have a diagnosis.
Alongside him will be Jeremy Clark, a Bipolar UK Trustee, and his wife Daisy.
Together they will be setting off from the cathedral at 10am on St Cuthbert's Day, March 20.
The 199.5 km trek is the equivalent of 9.5 half marathons.
Talking about the challenge, Simon Kitchen said: "This walk will put me fully outside my comfort zone, having never walked this far before. But we wanted to push our limits.
"Every half marathon we’ll walk represents a whole year that our community lives without a diagnosis, often struggling with really difficult symptoms.
"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.
"Getting a diagnosis of bipolar is crucial because it means someone can get the treatment and support they need to have a much better chance of living well with the condition.
"Reducing the delay to diagnosis will improve and save thousands of lives."
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Saint Cuthbert is often called the patron Saint of the North of England. The walkers will follow what’s known as the ‘saints’ route’ from Saint Cuthbert’s final resting place in Durham to Lindisfarne, where he spent much of his life.
Simon added: "Saint Cuthbert was famed for his diligence – a quality we will need in abundance to be able to complete this challenge.
"I know that my determination to keep going will be inspired by the thought of supporting the million-plus people in the UK who manage the challenges of bipolar daily."
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