Words by Smiley Team
One of Britain’s most famous charity fundraisers is on the road once again.
SpeedoMick is on a 2,000 mile, five-month trek across the UK and Ireland, to raise funds for charities and good causes through his charity, the SpeedoMick Foundation - wearing nothing but a pair of speedos and festive hat!
The route started off in Stornoway in the Western Isles, and will take in Edinburgh and Glasgow, before heading across the Irish Sea to Belfast.
SpeedoMick - whose real name is Michael Cullen - says: “The reason I’m doing the tour is to give back to the people and the communities who have supported me in the past."
(Read more about the 6-year-old taking on a 603 mile walk for Alzheimer’s)
“The Covid-19 pandemic has placed a huge strain on the finances of so many worthy charities and shone a light on how difficult life can be for a lot of young people in this country, whether because of a lack of food, money or opportunities," says Michael. "So I’ll do anything I can to help.
“Homelessness, mental health and disadvantaged young people are issues very close to my own heart as I’ve been through those struggles and I know how hard it is to come out the other side.
“In my life, I’ve been in some dark, lonely, hopeless places and for me, one the most rewarding parts of my fundraising has been to help people who are facing what I have faced.”
He went on to say: “For a long time, I was in need of that very same help and support that I am now offering to others. I have been the homeless person you see in the shop doorway, the addict, the alcoholic, the hopeless case that had made so many bad decisions that there was surely no way back.”
Now, through the SpeedoMick Foundation he works to provide support for young people through education, relieving poverty, or the support of mental and physical health.
(Read more about the Festival of Kindness to help the homeless this Christmas)
Michael even received a shoutout from footballer Wayne Rooney, who encouraged him to keep going.
You can donate to SpeedoMick’s fundraiser on his GoFundMe page, and help him reach his goal of raising £130,000. You can follow his progress via his Twitter account.
