Speedo Mick to set off from John O'Groats in 1000-mile challenge to Land's End
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A famous fundraiser is set to walk through Caithness this festive season sporting only a pair of blue swimming trunks in a bid to raise £1 million for mental health and suicide prevention charities.
Michael Cullen, known as Speedo Mick, will be braving the cold and kick-starting his campaign on December 29, as he attempts to trek 1000 miles from John O'Groats to Land’s End. The 58-year-old, who has raised more than £800,000 in the past seven years, will also attempt other challenges during the five-week stint including the Three Peaks and open-water swimming.
In what will be his final fundraising walk, Mick will take a tent along with him so he can pitch up along the way.
The Liverpudlian said: “Sadly, after I have finished this, I will be hanging up my blue knickers forever more.
“I have spent seven years tirelessly fundraising for charity and I’m a bit knackered now! But it's not over yet, as we have this last walk to complete before I say goodbye to my stomping days.”
On this next challenge, Mick will be fundraising for something that is very close to his heart – mental health and suicide prevention.
He added: “I have suffered from mental health most of my adult life and still do suffer from it to this day. The donations from this walk will be going to our very first SpeedoMick Foundation.
"It will be a dream come true for me to be able to give back to my community and support people who are suffering.”
Mick's trip is expected to last just over one month. It’s hoped he will be joined by friends along the way as he travels through the UK.
Mick said: “The SpeedoMick Foundation was originally set up in 2020 and alongside our fundraising on this charity walk, we will also be gifting grants to small grassroots charities that support mental health, disadvantaged young people and homelessness.”
Mick is due to leave John O'Groats on December 29 and will reach Ackergill the following day. He is expected to pass through Lybster on Hogmanay and Berriedale on New Year's Day before continuing south.
This is not the first time Mick has set off from John O'Groats. In 2019 the fundraiser took part in another 1000-mile challenge which raised over £500,000 in support of community projects for disadvantaged young people.
