A mile in her shoes

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

RCMP officers at SOWINS walk

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

Walk participants

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

Flags with SOWINS statistics

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

The start of the walk

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

Big donation for SOWINS

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Men, women and children donned red high heels and other colourful attire as they walked down Lakeshore Drive for a good cause in Penticton Friday afternoon.

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, the South Okanagan Women in Need Society's largest fundraiser of the year, was held at Rotary Park.

"People are encouraged to wear red shoes because that's the signature of a Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event," said Marni Adams, development advisor for SOWINS. "And the purpose is to raise funds and awareness about violence and abuse in our community."

About 100 people gathered, including RCMP officers, victim services workers, Mayor Andrew Jabkubeit, other council members and community members.

The light-hearted afternoon focused on a serious issue, with an abuse survivor telling her story and how she left an bad relationship. The walk then took place from the park, down Lakeshore and back.

When smiling participants returned to the park, prizes were handed out, and people were encouraged to look at colourful flags featuring SOWINS statistics, such as how many women and children helped.

A $4,000 cheque was presented from the Okanagan Miata Club.

The crowd also learned $30,770 was raised, with more donations still coming in.

The money will go to fund programs that help women and children escape abusive situations throughout the South Okanagan.

"No one should be a victim of violence," said Wayne Merrick, who drove all the way from Kamloops for the event.