Men in high heels take to the streets of Wisbech for Ferry Project's sponsored walk

The streets of Wisbech were filled with the sound of clip-clopping high heels as walkers took part in the first-ever ‘walk a mile in their shoes’ event.

Organised by the Ferry Project, the charity which helps homeless and vulnerable people, the event saw around 30 walkers slip into women’s shoes, or men’s ties, to raise money for a new challenge aimed at supporting victims of domestic abuse.

Men put on women’s shoes while the women wore ties and, in one case, a moustache to walk the mile course around the streets of Wisbech, including Somers Road.

The aim was to raise money to help fund emergency accommodation for people fleeing domestic violence.

As both men and women can be victims the Ferry Project chose to call it ‘Walk a mile in their shoes’ – a take on the American version of ‘her shoes’.

The charity also wanted to raise awareness of the issue which sees two women a week killed nationally as a result of domestic abuse.

Hazel Howell, fundraising officer at the Ferry Project, said: “It is happening every day here in Fenland and it needs to stop. People who make the difficult and brave decision to flee often leave with nothing and have nowhere to go.

“We want to be able to offer those people help. With an emergency fund we can provide them with money to find somewhere to stay and to buy essentials.”

The mile long walk was led by Keith Smith, the Ferry Project’s founder, in his high-heeled shoes.

Walkers were asked to pay a £10 registration and a pair of shoes/tie was loaned for the duration of the walk.

This fee covered the administrative costs, so any further donations will go directly to supporting those fleeing domestic violence.

A Virgin Money Giving campaign will be set up through the Ferry Project. The amount raised is not yet known.