The Mortlock family made their mark again as the top fundraisers at last year’s YWCA Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event in Peterborough.
The event sees men don red high-heeled shoes and march down George Street to raise funds for the YWCA Crossroads Shelter to support women and children fleeing abuse. Two years ago, women and children were invited to participate in Peterborough.
On Wednesday, organizers and sponsor Merrett Home Hardware presented Tom Mortlock with the trophy for the most pledges raised by an individual for the 2017 campaign, thanks to collecting $3,577.68 in pledges.
Mortlock and his son, Craig, also claimed the team trophy as Mortlock Construction topped group efforts by raising $9,202. It’s the second year in a row Trent Valley Honda has presented the trophy to the company, after raising more than $11,000 in 2016. Tom is company president and Craig is vice-president of the family-owned business on Brown Line.
“I’ve been inspired to do this since Craig got his photo taking do the walk holding my grandson in 2011,” said Tom. “At the time he was walking for another team and he was the inspiration to get Mortlock involved.
“I thought it was an incredible event for the community – a wonderful way for Mortlock to show our commitment to the community and to the lives of those people who are in it.”
Craig says the company reaches out to friends and colleagues for support. Ironically, Mortlock Construction made the trophies.
“We wanted to get this trophy back in our office,” quipped Craig. “We have office and site staff, colleagues, friends and their children all walking. We are all in as our company – it’s our big push.”
Team Mortlock’s efforts were equivalent to providing 200 safe nights at the shelter, said Jen Cureton, YWCA director of philanthropy and communications.
Last year’s event raised a grand total of $138,204.12, making 3,007 safe nights possible.
“Every $45.96 raised through the event provides one safe night sleep at Crossroads Shelter for women and children fleeing violence,” said Cureton.
“That safe night provides everything that they need — from a warm, safe room, delicious food and even things like pyjamas if they arrive with nothing. It makes a difference — a pretty profound difference.”
The 10th annual Walk a Mile is set for Friday, May 25.
Red heels will be optional this year.
“Ten years ago when we started this event, domestic violence in this community was in the shadows,” said Cureton. “And we feel over the 10 years — because of the walk and work our partners have done and world events — it’s now front and centre. That’s a big change.”