(rdnewsNOW/Ian Gustafson)

By Ian Gustafson

Raising awareness

Red Deerians take part in annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes fundraiser

Sep 12, 2025 | 4:09 PM

The 14th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes fundraiser for Red Deer’s Outreach Centre took place Friday afternoon.

Approximately 60 participants, mostly men and boys walked four laps in high heels in downtown Red Deer to literally walk a mile in her shoes.

Ian Wheeliker, executive director of The Outreach Centre, said the day is all about raising awareness for domestic and gender-based violence.

“What we’re trying to do is make communities safer, that’s the end goal, but you can’t do that unless you raise awareness, educate people, and make sure people who are experiencing abuse of any form know that there’s a caring community and there’s services that can help interrupt the cycle of violence,” he said.

Wheeliker said the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event started in Canada decades ago and it’s really all about putting yourself in the shoes of victims and thinking about the issue that impacts so many people in the community.

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“Right across this country, we’ve got children that are exposed to sexual abuse and family violence. We’ve got grown ups, men, women, and it happens in the 2SLGBTQ community,” he added. “Today is about raising awareness and saying to the victims that we care and we’re here to support you.”

(rdnewsNOW/Ian Gustafson)

The event moved to the city’s downtown three years ago after the Red Deer Downtown Business Association partnered with The Outreach Centre. They did so because of the increased foot traffic.

“It’s a fun event,” he said, adding it’s a serious cause but seeing men try to walk in high heels can be quite humorous. “It’s hilarious and some even run the whole course and that’s even funnier.”

The Outreach Centre partners with the Sendero Centre, which is a sexual assault support centre, and with the Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter, for those that need the protection of an emergency shelter. They’re also partnered with the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre.

Education lead of the education and community relations team at Sendero Centre, Kailee Burkinshaw said they were happy to be a part of the event with their partners towards a shared goal to see a community free of violence, abuse, and assault.

“We provide many services at Sendero and education awareness is one. We also have our crisis support line that is 24/7, we have a police and court support program, but we also have our counseling team as well.”