The man behind Queen of Bermuda Sybil Barrington swapped his stilettos for sneakers yesterday to walk from the West End to East End for charity.

Mark Anderson trekked for eight hours from Dockyard to St George’s to help raise vital funds for the Centre Against Abuse.

The Royal Gazette revealed last month that the charity had been forced to close its shelter for victims of domestic violence and risked having to axe all its services unless emergency funds came through.

And kind-hearted Mr Anderson was determined to show his support for this “critical” service.

“I did 25.5 miles today, I’m sore,” he said after finishing. “I’m rubbing myself down with Bengay and my first cousin Lisa has given me a very professional foot and leg massage.

“My body is not as young as I thought it was!

“I went from the Maritime Museum to Fort St Catherine and came along the main roads, I didn’t do any track. Technically it was the very end to the very end.

“I’m very proud of myself and very honoured that I did this.

“I want to thank all of the supporters who walked with me, I had 10 people join me, and I have to thank Barritts, Crawl Gas Station — my aunt Rochelle and her boy Joe, he’s the owner — and Temptations for the drink stops.

“I also need to thank the staff of Fort St Catherine who had a reception for me and they made a beautiful sign saying ‘Mark, you did it’.

“They even had a ribbon for me to come across at the finish line and the cannon fired — that was amazing, I was like a little child.”

Mr Anderson was keen to praise all those who sponsored him on the walk and the generous residents who stopped him during the journey to donate money to the Centre.

“We got lots of support — I collected about $1,000 from Dockyard to St George’s, people were giving me money on the way,” he said. “But I don’t know how much I raised in total yet.”

Anyone who wishes to sponsor Mr Anderson’s walk can still do so.

“I’m encouraging everyone to donate whatever little money they have for this great cause,” he said. “I want to thank each and every person who has supported me from start to finish — people were on their lawn and cheering, it was really nice.

“This is a critical social issue and I want to encourage everyone — whether men or women, no matter what walk of life you are from — to help the cause. It’s important for each of us but especially for the children.

“Help to save the shelter, it’s imperative.”

Supporters of the Centre are planning a gathering at East Broadway on September 30 from 7.45am to show their support for the facility and to help raise awareness of its plight.

“If I don’t have work commitments then I’ll be there,” Mr Anderson said. “Whatever they do the Centre has my support.”

Centre Against Abuse executive director Laurie Shiell said Mr Anderson raised more than $1,500 in cash during the walk alone. Donations towards his walk are still being accepted so the total cannot yet be confirmed.

“CAA is very grateful to Mark for personally deciding to do something to save our safe house,” she said. “He came to us with his idea and he brought it to fruition.

“His efforts have assisted us two-fold — with bringing attention to the need for the safe house and the other services that Centre Against Abuse provides, and by assisting us with raising funds.

“On behalf of CAA’s staff and board we want to thank all the walkers who started and went the entire distance from Maritime Museum to Fort St Catherine, walkers who joined in along the route and kept Mark company, the volunteers, those who assisted with the water stops, individuals who provided funding for food, the Parks Department, John Barritt and Son, Crawl Esso Gas Station, and all the public who cheered Mark and the walkers along, and everyone who has made a donation to date.

“For those who have not made their donation, we are still receiving funds for Mark’s walk in the Centre Against Abuse HSBC account number 010 284 636 001.”

For more information about the Centre, visit www.centreagainstabuse.bm, call 292-4366 or e-mail info@centreagainstabuse.bm