EPIC fundraiser Speedo Mick walked through the centre of St Helens yesterday, with the Eccleston Arms one of the final stops on his 2,500 mile trek across Britain and Ireland.
Speedo Mick, real name Michael Cullen, has become somewhat of a cult hero over the past few years after walking almost every inch of the UK in his trusty Everton swimming trunks.
Raising money for the SpeedoMick Foundation, the 57-year-old has raised more than £800,000 through his efforts; which is then distributed to local charities that focus on mental health, homelessness, and disadvantaged young people.
After suffering with addiction, homelessness and mental health earlier in his life, Mick said that fundraising to help others get out of dark places is now his life's purpose.
With previous efforts including a a swim across the English Channel, a walk from Everton's Goodison Park to the French City of Lyon, and another trek from John O'Groats to Lands End, he wanted to go one further with this years "Giving Back" tour.
Beginning in Stornoway in the Scottish Western Isles, Mick made his way down to Edinburgh and Glasgow, around the entire coast of Ireland, back across through Wales and down to Lands End in Cornwall.
He then walked back up North and passed through St Helens and numerous other towns and cities, before finishing the trek in his hometown of Liverpool on Friday, December 17.
Taking a gruelling six-and-a-half-months to complete, the Everton fan has clocked an incredible 2,500 miles as he nears the end of his journey.
Morning everyone, on my way to St Helens from Warrington today.
— Speedomick (@speedomick) December 15, 2021
Just 3 days left now and I’m buzzing 🙌🏻
Keep donating to get us to our £150,000 goal 🙏🏼https://t.co/XBZNNOoQKq pic.twitter.com/RqPkGfhBCH
After finishing his days walk from Warrington to St Helens at the Eccleston Arms on Wednesday, December 15, Mick said: "The [SpeedoMick] foundation is set up to support mental health, disadvantaged young people, and homelessness - basically all the stuff I've experienced.
"I've also suffered from addiction but I'm 19 years clean and sober now. This is why I do it, I'm trying to give back and of course challenge myself.
Braving all seasons and storms throughout his nationwide tour, Mick admitted that the challenge has been extremely tough, both physically and mentally.
And while he thought his body may not be able to physically finish the challenge, Mick said that he was "never, ever going to give up".
He added: "When I do challenge myself, I want to know that I'm working for every penny that gets donated."
During the six month trek, Mick has already raised more than £150,000 for his charitable causes and has gathered "fantastic" support from people all across the country.
Explaining that he is "never on [his] own" with such support, Mick said: "The money raised is so necessary and is going to help so many people [...] but the biggest story here is that this is a story of hope.
"I am the last person you would have thought would get his life back. I made bad decision after bad decision - in fact I couldn't make the right decision to save my own life.
"[But] I've found out a lot about myself since getting clean and sober. I believe in myself and I believe that I can complete the challenges that I set myself - even though the challenges are way out.
"The fact of the matter is, I'm willing to have a go."
To support Mick's incredible fundraising efforts, you can donate by visiting this link
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