Simon Kitchen, CEO of Bipolar UK, is teaming up with North East Rotary clubs to walk from Durham to Holy Island for World Bipolar Day.

This lengthy walk, taking nine-and-a-half days to complete, signifies the average nine-and-a-hal years it takes to get diagnosed with bipolar in the UK.

Mr Kitchen, also president of the world’s first Rotary Bipolar eClub, aims to raise awareness and funds that could help support the one million people living with bipolar in the UK, as well as shine a light on the estimated 56 per cent of people with the condition who do not yet have a diagnosis.

Supporting Simon on his journey are Jeremy Clark, trustee with Bipolar UK and Rotary Bipolar eClub member, and Daisy, Jeremy's wife.

The trio will start this 199.5 km trek, equal to 9.5 half marathons, from Durham Cathedral at 10am on Saint Cuthbert’s day, March 20.

Waving them off will be British actor and Bipolar UK ambassador Adam Deacon, while Rotary members in the area hand out leaflets to further educate on bipolar symptoms and the support services offered.

Mr Kitchen said: "This walk will put me fully outside my comfort zone, having never walked this far before. But we wanted to really 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.

"Getting a diagnosis of bipolar is crucial because it means someone can get the treatment and support they need."

District governor for Rotary North East, Joy Palmer Cooper, said: "It’s a privilege to support and raise awareness for such an important cause in the build up to World Bipolar Day on March 30.

"Our network of Rotary members and the bipolar community will join and support Simon, Jeremy and Daisy for sections of the walk along the way."

Research suggests that tragically, up to one in five bipolar sufferers take their own life, with younger people living with the condition being 50 times more likely to take their life, compared to peers.

Bipolar UK is currently running an awareness campaign, with ‘Could it be bipolar?’ posters and leaflets in 61 GP surgeries across the North East.