Use your head and sign up now for the Everton FC newsletter Sign up now Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

By JOSH SEXTON

Everton fan and charity campaigner Speedo Mick has taken his weather-defying exploits to new levels by embarking on a 100-mile walk from London to Bournemouth in time for Saturday's FA Cup tie.

Mick Cullen has previously swum the channel and attends every Toffees game, home and away, in his trademark blue Speedos, goggles and swimming cap, in an attempt to raise funds for Woodlands Hospice in Liverpool.

He now aims to walk from Hatton Garden in London to Dean Court in Bournemouth, in time for the Blues' FA Cup tie against the Cherries, to raise funds for a Dorset-based children's hospice called Julia's House.

Mick said: “I'm walking to Bournemouth for Julia's House, because when I went to Bournemouth versus Everton earlier in the season a bloke called Clive (Allen) jumped on the Speedo thing with me to help raise money for Woodlands.”

The walk began on Monday and the London-based Liverpudlian insisted: “I was worried because I've had some knee problems, and I sometimes tend to get problems around 5 miles into the walks, and we're hoping to walk 22 miles in the first day”.

Mick praised the reaction from football fans, at the games and on social media saying: “Its been a fantastic reaction from the football community, we had West Brom fans donating at the game the other day, we've had Arsenal fans, Liverpool fans donating and supporting, they see the funny side of a bloke in Speedos at the match.

“All the fans have been amazing, but particularly the Everton fans who have been donating every single week, and the club have been great with it too.”

The 50-year-old, who is originally from Dovecot, insists there is no target of how much he wants to raise, but he is overwhelmed with the current response and wants to keep it going.

“It's been a long season so far, and I'm just waiting for the sun to start shining. I'd like to climb a mountain but we'll see what happens.”

You can donate to Mick's charity Woodland's Hospice here - https://www.justgiving.com/SpeedoMick

And you can donate to Clive's charity, Julia's House, here - http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/madclivewalk