Men wear high heels for a good cause

(Updated)

In Hamilton, the international march to stop rape, sexual assault & gender violence took place at Gore Park Thursday afternoon.

The CEO of the Hamilton YWCA says that over 150 women per year come into the the centre for help, and there’s always a waiting list. Events like the ‘Walk a Mile in Her Shoes’ are aiming to end that issue.

The fifth annual Walk a Mile in her Shoes allows men and women to step up — literally — in high heels to raise awareness and money for women struggling with the affects of poverty, homelessness and violence.

Denise Doyle is CEO of the Hamilton YWCA: “Programs that fund women who are survivors of violence are all under funded.”

Programs like the Hamilton YWCA’s transitional living program give those women a second chance.

Denise says: “We’ve had many women who have secured their own homes, women who are finding fantastic jobs, and women who feel like now they are now contributing to their own well being but their life in the community as well.”

Rafal Tomchuk, who’s from Poland and grew up with an abusive father, followed his mother to Canada to build a better life: “Send a clear message in our community that violence against women, sexual violence is not allowed and should be stopped.”

This is Rafal’s third ‘Walk a Mile’ event. But for some guys, today is the very first time they’re sporting heels. And there was some trepidation.

“This is my first time in heels, it’s not comfortable.”

“I don’t know how I’m going to do walking in a straight line walking round and round in circles.”

So after some Zumba — in heels — to warm up those cramped feet, they were off.

“Painful, this is the first time for me and very awkward.”

“Just like I thought they would. Not very good.”

Now, as you’ve seen, walking in these bad boys is tough. But donating to this great cause is not.

Denise says: “They need to go ywcahamilton.org and they’ll find a link they can go and click. They can use a credit card. If that doesn’t work for them, they can come down to the YWCA and make a donation as well.”

The Walk a Mile team are hoping to raise $50,000 and it looks like they’ll reach that goal and then some. They were at 84% of their goal before registration. And a shameless plug, our CHCH team of Tim Bolen, Jaclyn Colville, Lisa Hefner and Nick Dixon raised at least $600.