Haywards Heath Rotary Club's Partnership with Bipolar UK

Haywards Heath Rotary Club: Walking, cycling & running to support people affected by bipolar

From 2022 to 2025, the Rotary Club of Cuckfield, Lindfield and Haywards Heath raised over £15,000 for Bipolar UK, helping to establish and grow a local peer support group.

Inspired by the Rotary–Bipolar UK partnership, members launched the Pole-to-Pole Challenge, starting with a team hike across the South Downs. Together they covered 300 km, with four completing a full marathon. 

The challenge continued until World Bipolar Day, with members walking, cycling, and running a combined ~13,000 km - two-thirds of the distance from the North Pole to the South Pole. One member, Mike Oliver, contributed an incredible 9,700 km on his bike. This effort raised over £6,000, funding an online peer support group for Haywards Heath, Mid Sussex, and Crawley.

During Mental Health Awareness Week, the club partnered with the Greater Haywards Heath Bike Ride, where Bipolar UK was the chosen charity. Cheered on by Adam Deacon, BAFTA-winning actor and Bipolar UK Ambassador, more than 300 riders took part, raising an additional £6,500.

The club continued its awareness and fundraising efforts, including a static bike challenge for World Bipolar Day 2025 at The Orchards Shopping Centre, where participants cycled 9.5 km to represent the average 9.5 year delay to diagnosis. This event raised nearly £2,000 and promoted the newly established peer support group.

These funds have enabled the creation and running of a local peer support group - a lasting impact that reflects the power of community and collaboration.