'Speedo Mick' given huge honour by City of Liverpool

Michael Cullen, who rose to fame as "Speedo Mick" for his weather-defying outfit as he walked the length and breadth of Britain in aid of charity, was recently made a Citizen of Honour by the City of Liverpool.

Inaugurated during Liverpool's year as European City of Culture in 2008, the certificate recognises people who have made an exceptional contribution to the image of the city.

Cullen, who has also swum the English Channel (regrettably wearing red Speedos!) and climbed four different mountains in other fundraising efforts, has raised over £1m to date and he was handed the award by Lord Mayor, Councillor Mary Rasmussenat, during a ceremony at Liverpool Town Hall last month. 

"I'm absolutely thrilled," Mick said at the time. "I'm over the moon about it because it's from the city of Liverpool it makes it all the more special to me.

"I can't thank everybody enough for all the support. It means the world to me.”

Speaking later to evertonfc.com, Mick explained:

“Throughout everything I’ve done, the fans have always supported me and been an integral part of all that’s been achieved. They were there from the beginning and they drove me through it all.

“I think it if wasn’t for the support of the club and the fans, I don't think that I could have gone on. Maybe for a year or two, but not for nine years of solid support from everyone.

“What Everton did was give me a massive grandstand to be able to do what I do. I can’t thank the club enough.”

Mick's heroics and jaw-dropping determination to see through his walking challenges in all weather are testament to the way he has turned his life around following struggles with addition and used the way he has used the desire to rebuild his family as his inspiration and purpose.

“The manifestation was the fact that I freed myself from the bondage of alcohol, drugs and addiction,” he said. “There were a lot of other layers as well, in terms of pointing fingers, blaming people and me not taking responsibility.

“For a very long time, for years, I just didn't know how to stop being destructive and burning bridges. Thankfully, I got help and was shown that I didn’t need to be living that way anymore and that was the catalyst for doing what I did.

“The people at the addiction organisation who helped me, said, 'We don't want anything from you. We just want you to give something back’.

“I found a freedom and I started to get my family back in my life. I was excited and thrilled to be freed of all that heavy stuff, even though I had still had a lot of stuff to work through, and still do today.

“I've got a programme that helps me get through that stuff without being destructive again, and I was just so excited that I did a few marathons and triathlons, then swam the channel, both as goals and personal challenges for myself, but also to raise a few quid for charity.

“Basically, I got a second bite at the cherry and took a really big bite.”

His next project is the The Speedo Mick Foundation which aims to support small grassroot charities providing support for mental health, disadvantaged young people and homelessness that also includes the foundation of a music group to provide therapy for people with mental health issues.