Sun deputy editor 'dons' high heels for charity

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27: The Bermuda Sun’s own Don Burgess will be donning a pair of heels and strutting his stuff for charity next week.

Mr Burgess will be participating in Pump it Up, the Bermuda Hospital Charitable Trust’s third high heel fundraiser on Wednesday during Harbour Nights.

There are 11 other participants.

Asked why he decided to be a part of the event, the deputy editor said: “My father, Terry Burgess, had to use King Edward quite a bit before he passed in 2010.

“He also was treated several times at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore and the state of the two hospitals is night and day.

“Bermuda needs a modern facility.”

He continued: “One time while he was at King Edward he was bed ridden an extra day because there were no mobile IV racks for him to get up and walk about.

“When they finally found one and we went for a lap around the ward, his IV rack swinging wildly left and right like a drunken sailor.

“When I looked down, the rack only had two of its three wheels and that’s why it was lurching one direction then the other.”

As far as the heels go, Mr Burgess said: “It doesn’t bother me to wear the heels although when I’ve gone to ask some men for a donation after telling them what I was doing, they backed away from me like I was a leper.

“One of my friends from work brought in some heels for me to try, and several women gathered around me as I was putting them on.

“I can see why some women have shoe addictions if that’s the type of positive support you get from new shoes.

“I’m pretty sure I chose the wrong shoe though.

“I should have picked one with more of a back heel.”

Mr Burgess is hoping to raise $8,000 for the charity.

The target is $1,000 for each participant.

He said the record is $7,700.

“I’m about half way there and will need a big rush near the end to accomplish that.

“I’m sure my friends are tired of me harassing them on Facebook for donations.”

Mr Burgess is paired up against delMonte Davis from The Royal Gazette.

“We all have to use the hospital at one point or another.

“The better the facility, the better the care should be.

“I’ve met some people who are resistant to giving because they think Government should be picking up the whole tab, but if you look at the front entrance, you’ll see a plaque with all the names of people who gave to help build the current version of King Edward.

“Not everyone can give because of their financial situation, but those who have a bit more should be willing to help out.”

If you want to donate to Mr Burgess and/or the other candidates, visit www.bhct.com.

If you want to donate directly to Mr Burgess, you can find him on Facebook or email him at [email protected]