Speedo Mick has made it to the top of Ben Nevis wearing only his swimming trunks. Fundraiser Michael Cullen has been walking the length and breadth of Britain to raise money for charity.
The 58-year-old reached the summit of the Scottish mountain - the UK's highest - at 2pm on Monday (January 16). He completed the five-hour climb wearing his signature blue Speedos.
Mick, from Liverpool, said: “I reached the top about 2pm yesterday, I climbed it in five hours, which I thought was pretty good going. It was minus three at the bottom at minus 18 at the top with the wind chill.
“I was freezing but I had lots of stuff with me in case of an emergency, and I was with a guide – we took all the precautions we could. I actually thought about climbing it in a kilt and a top but when we got there I thought let’s just see how far I can get in my Speedos.
“And I managed to walk the whole way in them which I couldn’t even believe myself. It was unbelievable, and such a huge achievement.
“I left a few tears at the top of Ben Nevis. I am just so grateful to have my life and that I can do stuff like this.
“I have been sober for 20 years and I got my life back, I hope raising awareness of mental health and suicide prevention can help other people. I saw a man when I was climbing back down the mountain, he had seen me going up and asked if I had done it, when I told him I had he said I was an honorary Scotsman now.
“So today I have a kilt and sporran on for walking today.”
Mick has raised more than £800,000 for charity over the last seven years. In 2019 and 2020, he walked from John O'Groats to Land's End and in 2014 he swam the English Channel.
His last big challenge is to walk the 1,000 miles from John o'Groats to Land's End again. But this time he planned to scale Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Mount Snowdon along the way. He hopes it will bring his fundraising total to more than £1million.
Mick added: “I have done about 200 miles of the walk so far, so still got a long way to go. I do about 15 miles a day which takes roughly seven hours, we only have so much daylight to walk in.
“I can stomp along pretty fast, especially when it’s so cold. People are always stopping to talk and take photographs.
“The hospitality in Scotland has been second to none, everyone has been fantastic.”
This will be Speedo Mick's last big fundraising event. He plans to spend more time with his family.
So far Mick has raised around £50,000 for the SpeedoMick Foundation. The charity gives grants to small charities that support mental health awareness, disadvantaged young people and the homeless.
Those wishing to donate to the foundation can do so online. You can pledge your support here.
