BANDS from across the county are coming together at a charity pub event tomorrow in a bid to raise thousands of pounds for people with bipolar disorder.

By JAMES MARSTON entertainments reporter

james.marston@eveningstar.co.uk>

BANDS from across the county are coming together at a charity pub event tomorrow in a bid to raise thousands of pounds for people with bipolar disorder.

Road to V winners Underline the Sky will be performing at the event following their high profile success in opening the V Festival in Chelmsford last weekend.

The event, supported by The Evening Star's music website lovemusic24.co.uk, will take place at The Spread Eagle in Fore Street, Ipswich tomorrow .

Organiser and landlady Sheryl McGeown said she is delighted to be able to secure the services of the popular band.

She said: “Underline The Sky have done really well and they agreed to help with the event.

She said: “Our chosen charity is bipolar. My aunt Jackie Fairbrass suffered with the condition and committed suicide. “She was a mother of two, she was 48 and the nicest person you could meet.

“She didn't see the bad in anyone and her death was absolutely awful”

Sheryl said the pub community is aiming to raise �5,000 during the year to open a charity in Jackie's name where she can maybe help to get a meeting place, a drop in centre, for people to talk to others including family members when they are struggling.”

Bands Soul Survivors and Supa Movements Crew will also perform during the event which will include a raffle, barbeque, an auction, sponsored events and fancy dress throughout the day. The Soul Survivors play at 4pm and Underline the Sky at 7pm.

Sheryl said: “Because bipolar is a mental illness a lot of people don't like to talk about it and it is a taboo subject.

“We want to raise awareness about the condition.

“It should be a great day and we want everyone to have fun as well as learn about bipolar.”

Has your family been affected by bipolar disorder? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

Bronwyn Cooper (vocals)

Chiron Richardson-Todd (bass)

Dan Oaten (guitar)

James Hicks [Monk] (drums)

Tom Bryce (guitar/vocals)

Bipolar disorder, previously called manic depression, is a condition that affects your moods, which can swing from one extreme to another.

If you have bipolar disorder, you will have periods or episodes of depression and mania.

Unlike simple mood swings, each extreme episode can last for several weeks or longer. The high and low phases of the illness can be so extreme that they interfere with your daily life.

The pattern of mood swings in bipolar disorder varies widely between individuals. Some people only have a couple of bipolar episodes in their lifetime and are stable in between, while others may experience many episodes.

It is a relatively common condition, with around 1 person in 100 being diagnosed as having bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder can occur at any age, but often develops between 18-24 years of age. Both men and women, and people from all backgrounds can develop it.

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n. See Tuesday's Evening Star for details of a fantastic Battle of the Bands contest.