There are not enough superlatives in the world for this man.
'Speedo Mick' has officially completed his final charity challenge, and walked almost 1000 miles in the process.
The Liverpool fundraising legend announced over the weekend that he had finished his journey, walking all the way from John O'Groat's in Scotland to Land's End in Cornwall in his huge fundraising challenge.
The famous fundraiser, who became a household name for swimming the English Channel in 2014 and numerous other impressive feats over the last decade, finished his 1,000-mile walk on Saturday, 29 April, summiting the likes of Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis in all manner of conditions on his way.
Real name Michael Cullen, Speedo Mick gained the amusingly modest moniker for carrying out all of his charity efforts in nothing but a tight pair of swimming trunks, but make no mistake, there is nothing modest about the things this man has achieved.
Arriving in Land's End this weekend following his epic four-month trek to walk the length of the UK, the proud Scouser and lifelong Everton fan (hence the choice of shorts) shared a resouding message of relief and gratitude on social media, confirming his journey had finally come to an end.
As if this individual feast wasn't enough, when totting up all of his other fundraising efforts throughout the past 10 years, Speedo Mick has raised more than £1 million for charity, including over £220,000 for mental health organisations not just around the North West but the UK and Ireland at large.
Mick began his remarkable voyage after he began struggling with his own mental health some time ago, with his last walk seeing him cover more than 2,500 miles and raising £200k in one go. Utterly immense.
As explained in the description on his fundraising page, the 58-year-old has raised a ridiculous amount for various important causes, including mental health, food drives, disadvantaged young people and homelessness — all of which factored into The SpeedoMike Foundation, which he set up in June 2020.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast on the day he reached Land's End, the mighty Speedo Mick explained how motivation came from nothing else other than wanting to give back, explaining how he "needed that support myself a long time ago and [has] never looked back since."
Speedo Mick has put in some serious graft over the past seven years, in particular, raising truly life-saving sums to combat mental health and suicide prevention, but as he explained when he began this walk (in freezing cold December, no less), he will now "be hanging up my Blue knickers for ever more."
Joking that he's "no spring chicken", his first words after reaching his final destination were: "I'm freezing cold, but I'm excited to see all of my family. I just want to see my own bed and to have some beans on toast." We'd say he's earned it, wouldn't you?
You can donate to his GoFundMe HERE and help him take his amazing tally even further.
You're an absolute inspiration, Mick, now have a good old rest and enjoy that beans on toast.
Featured Image — Speedo Mick (via Twitter)
Sport
Plans to turn one of Leeds’ most historic buildings into padel courts approved
One of Leeds’ most iconic buildings is set to be brought back to life.
Plans for a brand-new padel and leisure destination at The Roundhouse on Wellington Road have been approved by Leeds City Council’s West Plans Panel.
Consent has been granted for Ollo Padel to transform the Grade II* listed Roundhouse into a state-of-the-art sport, fitness, food, drink and community venue subject to conditions and completion of a Section 106 agreement.
Built in 1847 for the Leeds and Thirsk Railway Company, The Roundhouse was once home to the steam locomotives that powered industrial Victorian Leeds. In recent years, the building has stood largely unused.
Image: Supplied
The approved plans will restore and protect the landmark building and give the site a new, long-term future as one of the city’s most distinctive leisure destinations.
The three-acre site, located on the edge of Leeds city centre, will include nine outdoor doubles padel courts under a 10-metre canopy, plus a dedicated indoor coaching court within The Roundhouse itself.
At the heart of the site will be the Ollo Clubhouse; built around an all-day kitchen and bar, it will combine a comfortable lounge and co-working space, meeting rooms and live sport and events spaces.
The kitchen and bar will be run in partnership with Southbank Provisions, the independent Leeds hospitality team behind Headrow House, Belgrave Music Hall and Galleria whilst the gym will be operated by fitness and performance specialists Northbound, who will bring strength and conditioning practice, Hyrox training and pilates classes to The Roundhouse.
Image: Supplied
Construction is expected to begin later this year, with the venue aiming to open in early 2027.
Luke Gidney, Founder & CEO Ollo Padel: "This is a huge day for Leeds, for The Roundhouse and for Ollo. The Roundhouse has been part of the city’s story for nearly 180 years. It’s an incredible building but it needs people, energy and purpose again. Our plan is to bring it back to life as a place where people can play, eat, work, meet friends and feel part of something.
"Padel is growing so quickly because it’s fun, social and easy to pick up. But for us, this is about more than just the courts. We want Ollo to become a proper community destination for Leeds, somewhere welcoming, joyful and full of life.
"We’re incredibly grateful to Leeds City Council’s planning team, our case officer, the wider council team and everyone who has supported the project to this point. This has been a complex project but the sport and engagement throughout has been brilliant. Now the real work starts and we cannot wait to open the doors for you.”
A huge football fan zone with space for up to 1,000 fans has opened in Leeds
Clementine Hall
Trinity Leeds is transforming Trinity Kitchen into the ultimate space to watch all the World Cup 2026 action together.
Looking for somewhere to cheer on England in the 2026 World Cup? Don’t fret, we’ve got you covered.
Foodie hotspot Trinity Kitchen has been completely transformed into the ultimate fan zone with space for up to 1,000 cheering fans.
And they’ve made sure that nobody misses out on the action.
There are three super-sized 5x3m screens dotted around the space, so wherever you go you won’t miss out on a goal.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
There’s also a brand-new bar courtesy of local favourites Northern Monk named the ‘Northern Monk Trinity Tap’.
The tap will feature two, seven-metre bars with a whopping 20 beer taps to keep you refreshed and hydrated during the tournament, because cheering the lads on really can be thirsty work.
If you don’t fancy a beer there’s also cocktails, wine and soft drinks on offer as well - so nobody has to miss out.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Feeling peckish? Of course there’s 11 street food vendors serving match day meals and snacks to keep you fuelled through the games.
Choose from Caribbean jerk chicken from Jerk Junction, Indian street food from Rolawala and loads more.
Entry is completely free but if you’re after a reserved seat on a table, tickets cost just £10.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Josie Towning, Food and Beverage Manager at Trinity Leeds, said: “Trinity Kitchen will operate as normal during the day, transforming into a football fan zone in the evening.
“It will be one of the biggest World Cup venues in Leeds with three huge screens showing the games live and more dotted around Trinity Kitchen. There will be live roaming brass bands and DJs turning every England fixture into a true celebration.
“Fans can turn up and grab a space for free and we will also be offering table bookings for England games for those who want to guarantee the best spots to watch the drama unfold.
“Our line-up of street food vendors will serve bold flavours from around the world, while the all-new Northern Monk Trinity Tap will pour award-winning craft beers across 20 taps, making Trinity Kitchen the ultimate place to eat, drink and experience every unforgettable World Cup moment."
It’s all kicking off on Wednesday 17 June for England v Croatia. So rally your mates together, get your England shirts on and grab your tickets here.
The Hoot -
2nd May 2023 
