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Final challenge for fundraiser Speedo Mick set to cross the Highlands and the UK in bid to raise £1m for mental health and suicide prevention


By Federica Stefani

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Speedomick in one of his challenges.
Speedomick in one of his challenges.

A MAN famous for his fundraising efforts wearing only swimwear in adverse weather conditions will be starting his final walking challenge in John O' Groats next week.

Michael Cullen (57), known as Speedo Mick, will be braving the cold and donning his famous blue speedo again as he attempts to trek 1,000 miles from John O' Groats to Land’s End.

The open water swimmer will be going across the wintry conditions of the Highlands as he plans to stop in Lybster, Berriedale, Crakaig, Dornoch and Tain as well as North Kessock and around Loch Ness as he heads south.

As temperatures are set to plunge, Mick’s walk will take part during the festive period and he will take a tent along with him so he can pitch up along the way.

The famous fundraiser has launched a new GoFundMe for his final stomp, announcing: "after I have finished this next challenge I will be hanging up my blue knickers for ever more."

Speedomick in one of his challenges.
Speedomick in one of his challenges.

RELATED: Speedo Mick's brief encounter in Dingwall boosts fundraising effort

Speedo Mick in Highlands for epic trek

He said: “On this next challenge, I will be will be fundraising for something that is very close to my heart; mental health and suicide prevention.

“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 from mental health.

“Alongside our fundraising on this charity walk the Speedomick Foundation will also be gifting grants to small grassroots charities that support mental health, disadvantaged young people and homelessness.”

The challenge will be starting on December 22 and along the way, SpeedoMick will also attempt other challenges including the Three Peaks and open-water swimming.

A year on from Mick’s last walk, where he managed to raise more than £200,000 for charities, this gruelling challenge will be his last stomp as he is hanging up his walking shoes after the journey.

Mr Cullen said: “Yes, there's no storm I can't walk through, no tornado strong enough from stopping finished my task. Give me your worst!”

“ I'm a man on mission to raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention and no storm will stop me completing my task”

It’s hoped that SpeedoMick will be joined by friends along the way as travels through the UK.


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