Kind-hearted entertainer Mark Anderson has raised nearly $29,000 for the Centre Against Abuse.

The man behind Queen of Bermuda Sybil Barrington swapped his stilettos for sneakers to walk from Dockyard to St George’s on behalf of the charity, which helps victims of domestic abuse.

Donations and sponsorship for Mr Anderson has been pouring in since his trek last month — and so far he has raised $28,668.

“I’m so proud, I’m still excited and elated that I got this far,” Mr Anderson said. “It’s more than $1,000 a mile, that’s great — absolutely worth the pain.”

Mr Anderson walked 25.5 miles from the National Museum of Bermuda to Fort St Catherine on September 18. He took a long route, sticking to the main roads rather than trails so that the public could see him and learn about the Centre’s plight.

The Royal Gazette revealed in August that the cash-strapped charity has been forced to close its shelter for victims fleeing abuse — the only facility of its kind on the Island — and might have to axe all of its services if it cannot secure funding.

A temporary shelter was opened by Government late last month to assist anyone in need while the Centre works to reopen its own facility.

But organisations and residents such as Mr Anderson have stepped up to help. And he is determined to keep assisting and raising funding.

“People are still donating, still contributing,” he said. “I’m very happy that the public has assisted me in making a contribution, it shows how much people care.

“I’m really grateful and just blessed and would encourage people to still make donations to the Centre because we definitely need that shelter open as soon as possible. I’d like to be proactive and try to get it open as opposed to waiting on a tragedy.”

Mr Anderson said he would love to put on a fundraising show as Sybil but he would need sponsorship to be able to stage the event.

“I’d do a show, I love to perform and would love to do a performance for the Centre but that takes money. If somebody wants to sponsor me I would love it,” he said.

“Who knows, one of the generous people in this country might be having an event coming up and we can kill two birds with one stone — I can perform for the guests and they can assist me with a benefit. That would be awesome.

“This cause is very important to me and close to my heart.”

Laurie Shiell, executive director of the Centre Against Abuse, said they were very grateful to Mr Anderson and all those who had helped.

“I want to thank Mark for his efforts, he’s been great,” she said. “I want to thank him for the work he’s done and is continuing to do.

“His goal is to raise $1 million for us and he even committed to giving us 10 percent of his salary, and he’s done that.

“We’re just blessed by him continually. He checks in weekly to see how we are doing and to see how our fundraising is doing.

“We’re grateful for his continued spirit to ensure we maintain the services we provide.

“We continue to offer our services for men and women, that includes going to schools, companies, corporations and churches around the Island to spread awareness about domestic violence.”

Anyone who wishes to donate to the Centre can contribute to their HSBC account, 010-284636-001.

An online petition calling on Government to increase its grant to the Centre has been signed by more than 860 residents. You can add your signature at www.change.org/p/bermuda-community-save-the-safe-house

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