If the cause is good and just, people will be prepared to do almost anything.
At lunchtime last Friday, 25 men slipped into women’s high-heeled shoes to boost awareness about domestic violence.
They also helped raise a whopping $9,000 for FCSS anti-violence programs.
The champion fundraiser was Barrhead County councillor Bill Lane, whose eye-catching appearance helped him net $2,765 in sponsorship cash.
Lane turned up in a black dress and with his hair and moustache dyed lime green and blue.
Long before this unlikely statement in men’s fashion had ended, organizers were hailing Barrhead’s first ever “Walk A Mile In Her Shoes” challenge a big success.
“It was an incredible event,” said FCSS family violence prevention worker Diane MacDougall. “I am so proud of the men of Barrhead.”
She said the challenge had proved a fun way to spotlight a very difficult topic.
“The support we’ve received has been wonderful,” said FCSS executive director Linda Mueller, holding up Lane’s giant cheque.
“A fabulous time was had by all,” enthused FCSS’s Mary Nikkel.
The event took place between noon and 1 p.m. in a cordoned off section of the IGA parking lot. The weather could not have been better.
MC Steve Lyster called the action for a large and excited group of spectators who ringed the competition area. Among them was Mayor Brian Schulz, who had been prevented by injury from taking part.
For the record, Barrhead’s 25 bravehearts were Caleb Jones, Ali Syed, Adam Lamers, Darin Flemmer, Peter Bonnema, Bill Knudsen, Levi Olson, Brent Hamilton, Brayden Laun, Matt Pohl, Bob Dodds, Dave McKenzie, Daniel Lefebvre, Mark Oberg, Cst. Hoffman, Randy Paupst, Don Smith, Shawn Fillier, Mark Myrehaug, Ty Assaf, Hielke Vandermeulen, Joe Kuhar, Shane O’Neill, Bill Lane and Alex Kuric.
The guys competed in five five-man heats, taking on several challenges, including loading items into a shopping cart, negotiating a slalom of cones, and changing the diaper on a mannequin baby.
The shopping carts provided support – a blessing for some of the bigger contestants like Sgt. Bob Dodds and Bill Knudsen.
The championship heat was a tight affair, with TD Bank’s O’Neill being declared the winner. He was presented with a special plaque.
Although Friday’s spectacle was amusing, the message behind it was anything but.
FCSS say family violence and relationship abuse is no laughing matter.
Statistics show that one in two young women will have unwanted sexual advances made towards them in their lifetime.
Frank Baird created “Walk A Mile In Her Shoes” in 2001. What began as a small group of men tottering around a park has grown into a worldwide movement.
Tens of thousands of men raise millions of dollars for local rape crisis centres, domestic violence shelters and other sexualized violence education, prevention and remediation programs.
