Charity walker Speedo Mick hits Wick and gatecrashes ladies' party – see what happened
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John O'Groats to Land's End (Jogle) charity walker Speedo Mick made it to Wick and brought some Scouse charm to a ladies' party at the Norseman Hotel yesterday.
It was laughs all around as Michael Cullen, aka Speedo Mick, after hearing some laughter from a room in the hotel where a group of local women were celebrating, went for it and invited himself into the party.
"It's all about having a giggle, isn't it?" said the cheery Scouser who now lives in London. Mick was in his trademark outfit of Speedos, hat, backpack and boots but little else.
"When I put my Speedos on I'm like Superman. I'm like a different person and go into a different zone. I've a lot more determination and tenacity and a lot more belief in myself. Speedo Mick is me literally being able to be me."
The ladies at the Norseman were delighted with Speedo Mick's antics as they celebrated three of their number – one who reached 60, another who was pregnant and one who was moving on from a job. It was a special moment to observe and the women showed their appreciation by donating a few tenners to Mick's good cause. "Everyone's got worries at the moment with this cost-of-living crisis and it just lifts the spirits a bit. I want to make people smile – you should never underestimate the power of the smile."
Supporting various mental health causes as he walks across the UK, he opened up about the issues he experienced years ago that led him to create Speedo Mick – a character who, in eight years, has raised more than £800K for charity and hopes to bring that up to £1M after he finishes his latest 1000-mile trek.
"I was a completely different character years ago. I had lost me hope. I had lost me desire to live, lost me family, me home and tried to take me own life a couple of times. I really didn't want to be here anymore. I kept trying to find meself but addiction and mental health [issues] took me over. I was stuck in that dark hole for 20 years."
Mick says that reclaiming his life has been so beneficial that he wants to share his enthusiasm with others who are struggling in the hope he can help them overcome their issues. He previously walked across the UK on a Jogle charity walk in 2019 when he popped into the former office of the John O'Groat Journal. Mick travels light while on his walk and, apart from a hat and boots, wears a pair of bright blue Speedos emblazoned with the name of his beloved football team, Everton.
Speaking at the Norseman Hotel yesterday, he said: "We set off a bit after 10 o'clock yesterday and got here in the dark.
"When it gets dark it gets cold and it was very windy yesterday and there was a bit of rain. There was no trees or anything to hide behind but I made it with a few little ailments. If you've got the energy you can get through these things and inspire others."
Andrew Mackay, who runs the Norseman, was delighted that Mick came to stay at his hotel and donated £100 to his charities. "I was reading about Speedo Mick and it was such an amazing story. All of a sudden he was in the Norseman and I couldn't believe it. It was brilliant to get the chance to congratulate him in person and we were delighted to give him a donation."
Andrew said that the hotel is no stranger to having Jogle/Lejog participants staying the night before they start or the night before they finish. "There's none quite like Speedo Mick and it's great to get the chance to congratulate him in person."
Mick says he intends to walk to Lybster today and hopes he can cadge a lift back to Wick to celebrate Hogmanay in the town centre with the local people. He is accompanied by an old friend called Paul who is helping with social media and doing videos along the route. "We've done a few walks together and we just love having a laugh along the way," said Paul.
On his GoFundMe page, Mick says this will be his "final stomp" and he will be hanging up his "blue knickers for ever more". If anyone wishes to donate to Mick's good causes the GoFundMe page can be found at: www.gofundme.com/f/the-final-stomp "I have spent seven years tirelessly fundraising for charity and im a bit knackered now and I also want to spend more time with my loved ones as we don't have them forever," he wrote on the page.
Speaking last night, Mick says he looks forward to celebrating Hogmanay in Wick town centre. "I'm just going to go down there in me knickers and wish a Happy New Year to everyone. It's going to be great."
