Charity fundraiser Speedo Mick scales Ben Nevis wearing only his swimming trunks

17.01.2023 - 17:07 / dailyrecord.co.uk

A fundraiser called 'Speedo Mick' who walks around Britain in just a pair of swimming trunks has made it to the top of Ben Nevis.

Michael Cullen, 58, reached the summit of the UK's highest mountain wearing only his blue speedos and walking boots at 2pm on Monday, after a five-hour climb.

He has raised more than £800,000 for charity in the last seven years, walking from John O'Groats to Land's End in 2019 and 2020, and then swimming the English Channel in 2014.

However, he is set to hang up his blue trunks so he can spend more time with his family. He hopes his last big challenge - to walk 1,000 miles from John O'Groats to Land's End - will take the total to more than £1 million.

As part of his final walk, he planned to scale Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Mount Snowdon along the way.

Mick said he nearly scaled Ben Nevis in a kilt and top - but decided to give it a go in his trunks and couldn't believe he made it to the top in minus 18 degree weather.

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 and 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