Every year, countless individuals suffer abuse at the hands of their partner. Most frequently, it's women being abused by men, with women supporting women.
During the Steel Wheel Stampede parade, however, a posse of men will be showing their support for the abused by strutting their stuff in a set of red heels.
The Walk-A-Mile-in-Her-Shoes event returns to Stettler this year after a year's hiatus, and instead of a mile-long walk in West Stettler Park, the walkers will walk with the parade, a central feature of the annual Stampede.
The walkers have been gathering pledges for the walk, raising money for the Family Violence Committee and the Associations of Communities Against Abuse (ACAA). The money will be used to fund Stettler-based programs to help victims of abuse, regardless of gender.
As of Monday, June 8, there were 34 walkers registered for the event, with room for more – though the group is running out of size men's 11 red heels. There's a lot of larger and some smaller shoes still available.
The group will cut into the parade at William E. Hay Composite School and walk the parade route in heels until the four-way Highway 12 stop near Sobeys and No Frills, where they'll cut out and switch to their regular men's wear.
Anyone looking for more information, or wanting to sign up to walk, can contact Stephanie Hadley at 403-742-3558.