subject: More Men Walking In Women's Shoes For A Good Cause [print this page] Bryant Morawek looked nervous but stylish in his blue satin pumps.
I think they make my legs look beautiful, said the laughing computer store manager. But Im hoping to God I dont kill myself. I have already tripped once.
Morawek persevered Saturday as did more than 150 other uncomfortable men in a tottering walk around the Pen Centre in the name of Gillians place.
The annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event raised a record-shattering $55,000 for the citys shelter for battered women.
Event co-ordinator Joanne Doyley was thrilled by the turnout. I think were close to doubling last years totals, she said, looking around at the unsteady crowd of men in high heels, pumps and even stilettos.
Doyley said the shelter had aimed for $30,000 from the event.
Moraweks team, Fight Fit, contributed about $6,500 to the cause. Top fundraisers included Joe Carlomusto, with $7,780 and Team Royal Pumps with more than $8,000 pledged.
The determined participants hobbled in a loop around the mall, accompanied by cheering and laughing children, spouses and spectators with cameras. Beforehand, they also had the chance to do the limbo in heels and march carefully to some high-powered warmup music.
The uncomfortable walk is also a chance to highlight an uncomfortable topic, said Doyley: violence against women.
She said the shelter can accommodate 65 women and their children if they need help getting away from an abusive situation. The shelter is currently full.
Last year, Gillians Place received close to 2,000 crisis calls and more than 460 women sought emergency support.
The walk attracted plenty of costumed teams, including the Morphers, three guys wearing full-body, black Lycra jumpsuits.
The popular trio wear their morph suits to plenty of events, said Chris Langdon, but the skirts and high heels were a special addition for this walk.
We dont mind the heels at all, but the skirts are a bit tricky, he said through his face-mask, as spectators snapped constant photos nearby. But weve done this before. Its a great cause.
