By Angela Brown

Battlefords men show their support in the Walk A Mile In Her Shoes fundraiser

May 12, 2018 | 7:30 PM

Amidst honking horns and cheers, a group of hearty men took a stroll in women’s bright red high heels in downtown North Battleford for the Walk A Mile In Her Shoes fundraiser.

Stephen Kmiech of Drumming Hill Youth Centre said his toes pinched and the heel area of his pumps were a bit loose, but he braved on to complete the walk and support the cause to benefit the Battlefords and Area Sexual Assault Centre (BASAC).

“I’m surprised; I have no blisters, no cramping, but its something that I don’t want to do again until next year,” Kmiech said with a chuckle, as he hobbled back at the end of the event.

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The event, now in its second-year locally, had about 35 participants in the walk itself, with about 80 people attending the in total, about on par with last year. 

The walk raised about $7,000 from pledges alone, with more money still to come from donations, games and an auction at a Monte Carlo-style fundraiser at the Royal Canadian Legion North Battleford branch that followed the walk. 

While last year about $10,000 was raised in pledges, BASAC executive director Amber Stewart said that was likely due to more pledges coming in during the first year of the event. She said she was grateful for everyone’s support, adding the final tally won’t be ready until next week.   

N.B. participants walked from the local legion along 100 Street to the Beaver Hotel, across to the road to the cinema, then back to the legion.  

Lee Hnatiuk, who collected $3,545, won the contest for the individual who raised the most money. He gave most of the credit to Charlotte Morden for coordinating the fundraising group effort through the North Battleford Crown Prosecutions branch.

“We rallied behind him to donate, and managed to extract a fair bit of money out of family, friends and colleagues,” said Morden.

The team that raised the most money was Scott Campbell Dodge Ltd. of North Battleford, with $860 in pledges collected. Joe Carriere, of Bridges Chevrolet Buick GMC North Battleford dealership, won the first-to-cross-the-finish-line prize.

Trent Gatzke, general manager of Scott Campbell Dodge Ltd., who sported a crop-top, fishnet stockings and flashy beads with his high heels during the walk, received the best-dressed award.

Most participants donated their prizes back for the auction to follow.

“That’s the generosity that our community has,” said Stewart. “They continue to support us.”

Walk A Mile In Her Shoes is an international men’s march to stop rape, sexual assault and gender violence. The local fundraiser helps support the programs and services the Battlefords and Area Sexual Assault Centre provides. The Walk A Mile In Her Shoes event also marks the kick-off of Sexual Assault Awareness Week, which starts Monday.

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW