Bill Kenwright embodied Everton spirit, says fundraiser

Bill Kenwright donated £140,000 to Speedo Mick's 2020 challenge

Fundraiser Michael Cullen, famed for undertaking walking challenges wearing only Everton FC swimming trunks and known as Speedo Mick, has paid tribute to Bill Kenwright who has died aged 78.

Mr Kenwright donated £140,000 to Mr Cullen's John O'Groats to Land's End challenge in 2020 to help him reach a fundraising target of £500,000.

"He's made a massive difference to so many people's lives," Mr Cullen said.

"He was such a generous man and he embodied the spirit of Everton."

Theatres across the UK will also pay tribute to the late Everton chairman, who produced more than 500 West End, Broadway, UK touring and international theatre productions, films and music albums.

A number of theatres will dim their marquee lights and feature tributes to Mr Kenwright's career on their house screens, or light their theatres from outside in Everton blue.

Eleanor Lloyd, president of the Society of London Theatre, said: "Bill was a theatrical legend - a true impresario whose passion, spirit and enthusiasm had an immeasurable impact on the British Theatre for 60 years.

"We are proud the whole industry can come together to pay tribute to his incredible career. He will be deeply missed across the theatre business and beyond."

Jon Gilchrist and Stephanie Sirr, co-presidents of UK Theatre, described Mr Kenwright as "a titan of the touring theatre circuit".

"His commitment to regional theatre kept some really key industry establishments alive through tough times. He devoted much of his prolific career to productions around the UK and his extraordinary contribution to the sector will not be forgotten."

Bill Kenwright's production of Blood Brothers ran in London from 1991 to 2012

Mr Cullen said he was "grateful" for the support he had received from Mr Kenwright when he started raising money at Everton's Goodison Park almost ten years ago.

"He always supported me when I was running around the ground with my bucket in my speedos," he said.

"He was one of the reasons I was allowed to do it. I raised smile on Everton fan's faces and he saw that, he saw all the smiles."

As Mr Cullen's fundraising achievements became more ambitious he began to take on longer walking challenges.

In 2020 he walked from John O'Groats to Land's End raising over £350,000 and had not long returned when he was invited to join Mr Kenwright at an Everton home match.

"I'd just got back from my walk and I was exhausted," Mr Cullen said.

He explained that he received an invitation from Mr Kenwright to the boardroom to watch the Manchester United game. "It was really unexpected," he said.

"So I arrived in smart clothes and the first thing he said of course was 'Where's your speedos?'.

"As far as I knew I was just coming to watch the match. I arrive and he's there with his wife and Bobby Charlton and I'm thinking 'this is so surreal, I can't believe I'm here'.

"Then Bill disappeared and when he came back he lifted up my saucer and put a piece of paper under it, and its a cheque for £140,000."

Humble

The donation meant Mr Cullen had hit his fundraising target of £500,000.

"I was staring at it for five minutes thinking am I reading this right? And then it sunk in that it meant my walk had raised half a million pounds. I stood up and gave him a big hug.

"He said to me 'I'm very proud of you and I'm very proud that you are a Blue. It was a really special moment."

Mr Cullen said he had asked for a selfie but Mr Kenwright had declined and said "let's just keep it between us".

"That was his way," Mr Cullen said.

"He was such a humble man. People won't hear about 90% of what's he's done."

Mr Cullen completed his final challenge earlier this year when his total fundraising efforts reached £1m.