Little Pine First Nation Chief Donny Ironchild, centre, with Saulteaux First Nation Councillor Curtis Poitras, third in from right, and Gold Eagle Casino's team. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Men hit the streets in heels for cause

‘Walk A Mile in Her Shoes’ brings community together

May 19, 2023 | 11:55 AM

The ‘Walk A Mile in Her Shoes’ fundraiser saw another good show of support this year.

Organized by the Battlefords and Area Sexual Assault Centre (BASAC), the sixth annual event was part of Sexual Assault Awareness Week activities.

About 35 participants took part in the walk Thursday, raising a total of $16,595, about on par with what was raised the prior year.

The Blend Restaurant and Bar hosted the event again this year, and donated pizza for the participants to enjoy after the walk.

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The Battlefords North Stars took part in their own ‘Walk a Mile in Her Shoes’ pre-walk on May 5, since they are currently away in Manitoba competing for the Centennial Cup, after previously winning the Canterra Seeds Cup.

The Battlefords North Stars took part in a pre-Walk a Mile in Her Shoes fundraiser. (BASAC/Facebook)

The walk wasn’t a race, but some men were aching to get those shoes off pretty quickly it seemed. Dayton Thomas of Guy’s Furniture finished first, followed by Tyler Janzen of Pattison Media a close second.

Some of the dignitaries in attendance included Town of Battleford’s Mayor Ames Leslie and Councillor Kevin Russell, and City of North Battleford’s Councillor Kent Lindgren.

“It’s an amazing event for a really great cause,” said Lindgren, who has done the annual walk five times now.

“Every part of that walk is painful,” he added with a laugh. “But it’s worth it to support the agency, and all the good work that BASAC does for our community, and this whole region of the north-west. It’s really important, and it’s fun.”

Some members of the Battlefords RCMP also took part.

“It’s just to raise awareness and support the group,” Staff Sgt. Kyle Palfy said.

BASAC executive director Amber Stewart noted Guy’s Furniture raised about $3,200 for the fundraiser, which was a big plus.

“This is our favourite day of the year,” she said. “We love this fundraiser. All the funds go to support the sexual assault centre, to our counselling, prevention education, and all of the work that we do. All our services are free, so we really rely on grants, donations and fundraisers to keep the doors open.”

The ‘Walk a Mile in Her Shoes’ event is an international men’s march against rape, sexual assault and gender-based violence.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow