‘Speedo Mick’ accepts Punch’s apology

14-Jan-2020 - Last updated on 14-Jan-2020 at 18:45 GMT

Building bridges: the fundraiser has accepted the pub’s apology and donation after he was asked to leave during his charity walk (image credit; flickr.com/photos/darkdwarf)

An unfortunate misunderstanding that resulted in an avid Speedo-wearing fundraiser being asked to leave a pub during his 1,000-mile charity walk, has been resolved.

An Everton supporter known as Speedo Mick, whose real name is Mick Cullen, was trekking from John O’Groats to Land’s End in his Speedo trunks and swimming cap until he hit a bump in the road in a pub in Lancaster.

When Mick had reached the Royal Hotel in Bolton-le-Sands – owned by Punch – the pub staff did not know who he was, nor expected him, and made a quick decision to ask him to leave.

However, soon after being made aware of the charity champ’s campaign, Punch reached out to Mick directly to make amends before putting their own statement out on social media, as well as donating £1,000 to his cause.

Let’s move on

Punch’s tweet read:

At Punch Pubs & Co we are proud to run pubs that are hubs of the community. We are disappointed with what has happened today and, whilst wholly unintended, we know we didn’t get it right. We have reached out to @speedomick to make amends and support him on his great cause
— Punch (@punchpubs) January 7, 2020

Mick’s Facebook response to the tweet read:

Since then, the pubco has remained in contact with Mick and his team. And Mick has even made an appearance at a Punch pub in Liverpool, the Excelsior, on 11 January.

A video was shared on Speedo Mick’s Facebook page that showed him behind the bar having fun with staff and customers.

Building relationships

Punch marketing and strategy director Russell Danks said: “We are pleased to have been able to speak to Mick directly, and it’s been great to work with him and his team to identify any opportunity for us to help him on his travels, supporting him and his work with the Leave The Light On Foundation.

“It was fantastic to see Mick behind the bar at one of our Punch pubs – the Excelsior in Liverpool city centre on Saturday evening – and we look forward to seeing him again soon.”

Leave The Light On Foundation raises cash for people who take care of their sick or disabled mother, father, child, spouse, auntie, grandma or any loved one.