The 5th Annual Walk a Mile in the Battlefords featured both North Battleford and Battleford Mayors, the North Stars, the local RCMP detachment and more, as the event raised more than $13,000 for the Battlefords & Area Sexual Assault Centre. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW)

By Josh Ryan

Heeled stroll

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes sees record turnout

May 21, 2021 | 4:52 PM

Support for the Battlefords and Area Sexual Assault Centre continues to grow.

BASAC saw record participation and support Thursday during the 5th Annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. Thirty-two walkers from the community stepped into high heels at the parking lot of Blend Restaurant and Bar for the event, which raises funding for the Centre’s Prevention Education Programming and other services. More than $13,000 were raised, compared to around $10,000 last year, while more funds are being calculated.

The field included family, friends, RCMP members, business owners and local politicians. Battleford Mayor Ames Leslie, who’s participated in the walk before, said the night was a blast. After the walk, participants enjoyed food and a raffle contest, albeit with mask wearing and social distancing. Leslie said there was also some friendly trash-talking.

“I was complaining to Mayor Gillan, it would really be nice if the city replaced those sidewalks and made walking in heels a little easier,” he said. “It felt good to get out and joke around with other humans, I enjoyed it.”

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Leslie said it was also important to lend support to BASAC, a goal clearly felt by the rest of the growing crowd from recent years.

“They do a tremendous amount of work and bring awareness to another systemic issue,” he said. “Great to see so many people come out and support them.”

Executive director Amber Stewart said they’re very excited that so many people took part given restrictions and the weather conditions not being ideal for an outdoor event.

“There’s still difficulties with COVID and then with Mother Nature not cooperating, we’re just blown away by the support,” she said. “It’s my favourite event that we do and it’s grown every year.”

Stewart said it’s important that every cent stays within the community. Funding the prevention education component is something BASAC believe is key to preventing gender based violence, involving work with schools and other groups to provide tools on discussing healthy relationships, bodily safety and more. Stewart said without the support of Walk a Mile, this wouldn’t be possible.

“There’s staff that we wouldn’t have and that whole component of what we do would be non-existent,” she said.

Stewart said they’ve been mindful to make sure it’s a message that goes to the entire community. The hope is for a wide shift in attitudes in good time.

“Things like locker room talk, comments said in the hallway,” she said. “And it goes both ways, it’s not all just ‘blame and shame’ boys and men. That is the key to actually addressing some of the root causes of gender based violence.”

Stewart said she’s excited by ideas for next year, which included a potential challenge between the city and the town. As they continue to count incoming donations, she said they are grateful for the support of these five years and Blend for allowing them to utilize the space for registration and post walk festivities.

“Without that partnership, I’m not sure we would have been able to do it this year or last year.”

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josh.ryan@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports