By Roger White

Man enough to walk a mile in her shoes

May 10, 2018 | 12:00 PM

You will have to excuse Amber Stewart if it looks like there is permanent smile etched on her face as she puts the final touches on the 2018 Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event happening Friday in North Battleford.

This will mark the second consecutive year the Battlefords & Area Sexual Assault Centre (BASAC) will host the fundraiser, which features community-minded men and volunteers sporting red high heel shoes and walking down 100th Street in an effort to raise awareness for rape, sexual assault and gender-based violence.

“I’m really excited,” Stewart, who serves as BASAC’s executive director, said. “We have lots of people registered for the walk, and I can’t wait to see some of the crazy outfits some of teams are going to wear.”

City Councillor Kent Lindgren, who participated in last year’s event, said his feet may have been sore after walking a mile in high heels, but it was certainly worth the blisters.

“The little bit of pain that we felt after walking in heels for just a few minutes pales in comparison to what some of these women face on a daily basis,” Lindgren said. “That’s why Battlefords & Area Sexual Assault Centre is so vital to have right here in our community, and why I support it wholeheartedly.”

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The walk begins at 6 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion, and participants will strut their stuff down 100th St. to the Beaver Hotel before crossing the street to the Capitol Theatre and returning to the legion. Following the walk, participants are invited to enjoy a Monte Carlo event downstairs at the Legion Hall featuring a meal, bar, live DJ and casino games.

“If you can’t make it to the walk and would like to go to the Monte Carlo night, we will have tickets available,” Stewart said. “All proceeds go to the many programs that we offer through the sexual assault centre.”

Last year more than 80 participants raised over $15,000 for BASAC. The centre is partially government-funded, but 30 per cent of their yearly budget must come through fundraising initiatives.

roger.white@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW