'Speedo Mick' finishes epic 1,000-mile trek in his trunks - with message from ex-football star
Everton fan Michael Cullen has raised more than £315,000 for charity during his seven-week trek from John O'Groats to Land's End.
Saturday 22 February 2020 20:30, UK
An Everton fan dubbed "Speedo Mick" has completed a 1,000-mile trek for charity wearing little more than his trunks.
Michael Cullen was greeted by a large crowd and a brass band as he finished his epic seven-week trek from John O'Groats to Land's End on Saturday.
The 55-year-old from Liverpool has smashed his initial £100,000 target by raising more than £315,000 for community projects for disadvantaged young people.
After crossing the finishing line, Everton celebrated Mick's achievement with a video message from former striker Duncan Ferguson.
He said: "Well done Speedo. I heard you've finished your walk to Land's End - fantastic mate. I hope you've not too many blisters and I hope you've not got pneumonia as well.
"I tell you what pal, you've done a fantastic job - well done, we're all proud of you pal. Congratulations - love, Dunc."
Mick - who regularly attends Everton matches sporting his speedos - has been raising money for the Leave The Light On charity.
Writing in the Liverpool Echo earlier this month, he spoke about his own past struggles with drink and drugs and revealed he had attempted to end his own life on two occasions.
"I didn't want to be here anymore," Mick wrote. "It was a scary place to be - so cold and lonely.
"Being an alcoholic or a drug addict is a lingering, painful death. You lose all your family and friends because you are just too painful to be around. I don't know how I got that lost."
He added that he has now been "clean and sober 18 years".
Paste BN spoke to Mick during his trek as he walked through Stoke and he revealed members of the public had been pulling over their cars to hand over donations.
Despite the freezing conditions, he insisted he would not be putting on any clothes as "that would be cheating".
"That's why I chose the winter months, because I wanted to challenge myself," Mick said.
Describing the support he had received, he added: "It's lifting me up, it really is. I feel like crying before walking out the door, but the support has been phenomenal."