Speedo Mick gets hero's welcome at Land's End

Saturday, 22 February, 2020 39comments  |  Jump to most recent

“Speedo Mick”, the Everton fan who has gained national fame for the admirable charity effort he has undertaken over the past few weeks, has completed his 1,000-mile walk from John o' Groats to Land's End… in his “shreddies”!

Mick Cullen, who has been a regular sight at Everton games for years raising money dressed only in a pair of blue swimming trunks, socks and shoes, braved some of Britain's foulest weather, including storms Ciara and Dennis, and a blown calf muscle to journey the length of the country to raise money for disadvantaged people.

By the time he reached England's south-western most point, escorted by a marching band playing Z-Cars and welcomed by a cheering crowd, as Mick had raised over £300,000.

"Doing it in the winter, obviously in a pair of knickers, is very challenging,” he said on BBC Breakfast, admitting that he had plenty of doubts that he would be able to complete the walk and that at times he was just running on adrenaline.

Article continues below video content


Mick has raised £30,000 swimming the English Channel and another £50,000 walking from Goodison Park to Wembley in the past, all driven from the desire to do something positive and worthwhile after pulling himself out of his own doldrums.

"For a long time, I was in need of that very same help and support that I am now offering to others,:” he explained.

"I have been the homeless person you see in the shop doorway, the addict, the alcoholic, the hopeless case that had made so many bad decisions that there was surely no way back."

Speedo Mick's long walk may be over but you can still donate to support his efforts here.

 

Reader Comments (39)

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Brian Williams
1 Posted 22/02/2020 at 16:43:05
A wonderful human being!
Brent Stephens
2 Posted 22/02/2020 at 16:58:47
A guy next to me at the away match a few weeks ago swore blind (at least ten times, I kid you not) that Speedo Mick is a fraud and pocketing the dosh as he walks (well, you know what I mean, once he's changed out of his speedos).

"Why, what have you heard, read?"

"Nothing, I just know it".

Chris Williams
3 Posted 22/02/2020 at 17:01:06
Well that's that, Brent, in our post-truth era!
Brent Stephens
4 Posted 22/02/2020 at 17:09:14
Certainly is, Chris. Guilty until...

"You just watch. It's going to be all over the papers", he said.

A super-forecaster, no doubt.

Brian Hughes
9 Posted 22/02/2020 at 17:41:51
Wow, Mick tries to do something good in life after his mistakes and yet there's people out there saying crap like that. The man should be knighted, not brought down. It's over £350k he has raised for charity – well done, Speedo Mick; if there was more like you, mate.
Steve Shave
10 Posted 22/02/2020 at 17:47:18
I have just come back from a holiday with the family in Cornwall – we drove past Speedo Mick in the pouring rain on the A30 – it literally made my day – utter legend! Will donate now.
Ajay Gopal
11 Posted 22/02/2020 at 18:18:30
He is nothing short of a super human - in the physical endurance sense and also with his humanity. It is humbling to know that there is such a human being that we are fortunate to be living with. Bravo! One more validation (if I ever needed one) of my decision to support Everton all those years ago.
Brian Williams
12 Posted 22/02/2020 at 18:51:55
It can be difficult enough in life to do everything required to lead what people would refer to as a "normal" productive life. To do something absolutely outstanding and amazing after coming back from alcoholism and drug addiction is nothing short of miraculous.

I can only imagine the guts and determination it takes to do what Mick has done 'coz I know I ain't got it!

Mike Gaynes
13 Posted 22/02/2020 at 19:04:05
Yeah, Brian, you do.
John G Davies
14 Posted 22/02/2020 at 19:08:44
Credit to the club and credit to his family.

A fantastic achievement.

Mark Murphy
15 Posted 22/02/2020 at 19:35:57
Brent, I hoped you chinned him?

I've been following Mick's blog lately – the man is a saint! He's replaced big Nev (sorry Nev) as my all time Everton hero! Super Mick!!

Paul Smith
16 Posted 22/02/2020 at 19:38:00
Well done Mick. I know him personally and he's a beacon of light for those in recovery. We do recover mate. One day at a time.
Dave Brierley
17 Posted 22/02/2020 at 19:43:34
Inspirational. Nothing but admiration for Mick.

Brent #2. Wasn't Tony Marsh was it?

Brent Stephens
18 Posted 22/02/2020 at 19:48:31
Paul, that's great testimony from someone who knows him.

Mark, I'm too big a wimp to have chinned him.

Brent Stephens
19 Posted 22/02/2020 at 19:49:16
Dave, not sure who it was!
Brian Williams
20 Posted 22/02/2020 at 19:53:49
Thanks Mike, means a lot that mate.
Ken Gray
21 Posted 22/02/2020 at 19:54:37
Top man.
Dave Ganley
22 Posted 22/02/2020 at 20:21:56
Brilliant, well done Mick, you're a star.
Rob Dolby
23 Posted 22/02/2020 at 21:37:37
I have followed his walk on Twitter. His passion, determination and sense of humour have stood out.

Each day he has made me smile with his antics along the way. From the fantastic landscapes in Scotland to dancing with the Police, Firemen and ladies in the hairdressers.

He has people smiling and enjoying his company the length of the country.

Surely at least a job working for EitC must follow or is he too big a personality for that now?

Take a bow, Mick, a true Everton legend.

Jay Harris
24 Posted 22/02/2020 at 21:42:52
Some people are just amazing.

Even better that he's a blue.

Well done, Mick.

Let's get those donations to over £5 mill and see if the red press give any coverage.

Brent Stephens
25 Posted 22/02/2020 at 21:51:01
Roy #23,

“Surely at least a job working for EitC must follow”.

That's a great idea. How about suggesting that to Everton?

Paul Birmingham
26 Posted 22/02/2020 at 21:51:05
Mick's a Legend, in his passion, guts and humility in which he's embarked and completed these fantastic achievements.

Proper true grit, passion and sincerity, every time. Well done, Mick, you should be made a freeman of the City and you're already part of Everton Folklore.

Well done, Mick, proud to be a Blue Nose!

Les Moorcroft
27 Posted 22/02/2020 at 21:52:54
Well done, Mick. And Paul @16, well done. lad.
Steve Ferns
31 Posted 23/02/2020 at 00:58:16
Brilliant. I read some negative talk on another site about him. The thing is, he doesn't say he's a saint. The guy tells you he's done a lot wrong in his life and he is here now trying to make amends and is doing a lot of good.

It's not easy to turn your life around and this guy should be commended and held up as an example.

I salute you, Mick. Well done, sir.

Brian Cleveland
32 Posted 23/02/2020 at 05:01:45
Isn't this just a perfect example of what CBEs and MBEs exist for? Shining examples of humanity and generosity, contributions to the Empire (or whatever is left of it...)

Who draws up the list of nominations? They need a little word in their ear.

Darren Hind
33 Posted 23/02/2020 at 06:32:50
Made up when I saw this thread. I 've been following his progress with great pride and admiration.

A little bit bewildered as to why people would mar it by regaling us with shite like post 2, but I'll gloss over it and raise a glass to a sensational comeback, made by possibly our greatest ambassador.

Rob Halligan
34 Posted 23/02/2020 at 07:53:26
Brian #32. As far as I'm aware, anyone can nominate anyone for an honour or award. The following link is a guide as to how to do it...

https://www.gov.uk/honours

Dale Rose
35 Posted 23/02/2020 at 10:10:44
A one-off. All the best, Mick.
Derek Knox
36 Posted 23/02/2020 at 11:39:52
What a sterling effort by Mick, and being recognised for all the good things he has achieved by unselfish and at times gruelling conditions.

He has not only become legendary Nationally, but Globally too, and it can't have done any harm to the brand that is Everton in the process.

Brent, Brian W, Mike G and others, it is a sad but nevertheless true fact, that people generally would rather accept bad news than good news, and it travels faster too.

Mud sticks, and all that, an ill-conceived and erroneous story can do more damage to a person's character, than had it been true and some take an awful lot of convincing that is the case.

Well done Speedo Mick, you will be a hero in my book for years to come!

Makes you proud again to be a Blue.

Jay Wood
[BRZ]

37 Posted 23/02/2020 at 14:13:03
Two great stories to wake to in the morning:

Speedo Mick Cullen's completion of his marathon walk and Tyson 'Gypsy King' Fury cleaning up of Deontay Wilder.

Both had to rebuild their lives having been knocked down and left on the canvas with demons dancing in their heads from drug and alcohol abuse.

The physical preparation and pain they went through to achieve their respective goals is already on a higher plain than most people are prepared to commit to.

But the greater achievement both have attained for me is winning the mental battle.

For Speedo Mick, walking to and attending Everton matches throughout the season is chicken feed compared to his north to south walk the length of the British Isles in the depths of a British winter.

I cannot begin to comprehend the mental strength that entails to face such brutal elements.

Fury is the same. Ridiculed, laughed at, dismissed as a loud-mouthed clown, he has shown himself to be not only an extremely talented boxer with the ability to adapt to many a different training regime and fight plan, but a hugely entertaining and decent human being.

Huge, huge respect to them both for what they've achieved in the last 24 hours.

Geoff Williams
38 Posted 23/02/2020 at 14:24:13
I am so impressed with the way he has turned his life around and is now trying to help others.
Steve Shave
39 Posted 23/02/2020 at 14:32:57
Everton in the Community should definitely be trying to give Speedo Mick a job! That would be fantastic.
Michael Low
41 Posted 25/02/2020 at 12:13:11
It was an honour and a pleasure to meet Speedo Mick last year in the Fan Zone when I crossed the pond for the derby. He took time to pose for a pic with me. He's a really cool guy (no pun intended).
Michael Low
42 Posted 25/02/2020 at 12:16:52
He’s a great ambassador for our club and makes us all proud. What an accomplishment!
Tony Everan
43 Posted 25/02/2020 at 16:37:44
Well done to Mick! 1,000 miles and £300,000 for charity, amazing effort. He is a credit to the club.

His Speedo's will need a boil wash.

Lynn Maher
44 Posted 26/02/2020 at 07:55:09
What a fantastic, inspirational man Speedo Mick is. Makes you proud to be a Blue.

Good putting a link to donate, in article. I have just done so from sunny Portugal!

Tony Abrahams
45 Posted 26/02/2020 at 08:20:48
You haven't lived if you haven't fucked up, and this is what makes this such a fantastic achievement imo.

The man must have raised more than half a million pounds since he started on his mission, and he's earned every penny of it by swimming channels, and walking nearly naked in the rain – especially after having the guts, and the will, to beat his biggest fight, and climb back up from the bottom of the well, a truly fantastic achievement!

Eddie Dunn
46 Posted 26/02/2020 at 08:48:42
Really good news about a worthy cause, by a special man. Well done, Mick.
David Currie
47 Posted 27/02/2020 at 06:28:05
Love Speedo Mick, one of the best.

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