Wade will tour with car in the UK for charity: 'Driving around in a car plastered with a picture of my face is not my comfort zone'

James Wade lost to eventual winner Gerwyn Price in the semi-final of the World Series of Darts Finals last weekend.

The left-hander looked back on his participation in the tournament in Amsterdam in his column for Daily Star. ''As much as I would have liked to have come home with the trophy, there were some very positive signs for my game.''

''When I am getting good victories and winning events, it has always been because my ability to finish legs was unrivalled – and that instinct was coming back this weekend. In my first match with Leonard Gates, I took out some important finishes. Then, against Michael Smith in the quarter-finals, I again took the chances presented to me.''

''I felt confident going into the semi-final with Gerwyn Price and it was a good game which he edged 11-9. Again, I felt that I put him under real pressure with my finishing, including a 170 checkout. It was nice to hear him say afterwards that I am better than anyone else in the world with the last dart in my hand, and that is something that will give me confidence going into the World Grand Prix in Leicester, where doubles are twice as important as normal because you are under pressure to get one to start each leg as well.''

Work for charity during week off

Wade has a free week ahead of the World Grand Prix (3-9 October). 'The Machine' will dedicate that week to the Bipolar UK charity, of which Wade is an ambassador.

''I take to the road for my 501-mile challenge for Bipolar UK, an event that sees me drive a car I have bought for £501 and then travel 501 miles across Great Britain. I have bought a 2004 Ford Focus from a lovely family in Nuneaton while and my sponsor Falken have helped me prep the car with new tyres and use of their workshop to give it the once over.''

''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.''