Team Unicorn star JAMES WADE embarked on a 501 mile drive to raise money for Bipolar UK in an 18-year-old Ford Focus!

The third most successful PDC player of all-time is preparing for the World Grand Prix, which starts on Monday, with a tough trek across the UK.

Wade, 39, stopped at Falken Tyres dealers in Dingwall, Perth and Bonnybridge on Tuesday before heading towards Barrow, Kendal and Leek today (Wednesday) to raise money in an old car bought for £501.

He admitted: “I am quite shy so driving around in a car plastered with a picture of my face is not necessarily my comfort zone, but it is a very important cause. I cannot thank Falken enough for helping me to raise this awareness and funds.

“Yesterday was horrendous. I left my house late and when we got to the hotel in Scotland it was 1.22 in the morning. I’d been travelling for 11 and a half hours.

“It was raining. I don’t think the car was prepped very well. It’s horrendous. The stereo broke and the windscreen wipers barely work and we have no heater.”

CEO of Bipolar UK, Simon Kitchen is proud of ambassador Wade’s bid to raise money. He said: “With over 1 million people living with bipolar in the UK, and almost half a million still waiting for a diagnosis, we want to help as many of them as possible to gain access to vital peer support services so they can live well.

“We are extremely grateful to James Wade and team for choosing to support Bipolar UK and we wish him well in the 501 rally.”

World No.5 Wade kicks off his bid for a third World Grand Prix title on Tuesday against on-form Martin Lukeman. Wade has previously won the double-start tournament in 2007 and 2010.

By Phil Lanning