Showdown!
How much would you pay to see a manly cricket club team president strut his stuff on a runway in front of hundreds of onlookers in a pair of women’s heels?The Bermuda Hospitals Charitable Trust is hoping residents dig into their pockets in the spirit of friendly competition next week.It has paired up St George’s Cricket Club president Neil Paynter with his Somerset rival Alfred Maybury for fundraising event Pump It Up next Wednesday.The athletes have less than a week’s time to get as much sponsorship as possible from the community.The one who raises the most cash will choose whether to walk themselves or make their opponent hit the runway in high heels, at the weekly Harbour Nights celebration on Front Street.Other high profile pairs taking part include: radio personalities Power Girl and Nikita Robinson; delMonte Davis from The Royal Gazette/LCCA and Don Burgess of the Bermuda Sun.HWP CEO Jonathan Brewin will compete with former Bermuda Football Association Chairman Jon Beard; Lemon Tree Cafe’s owner Brendan Huttick, Government Senator Diallo Rabain, BHCT executive director Wendy Augustus and the Bermuda Hospitals Board’s Venetta Symonds will also take part.Money raised will go towards the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital redevelopment project, which is currently underway.Mr Paynter said he was determined to be the victor “but the main focus is just generating funds for the trust”.The East Ender has posted event information throughout the St George’s Cricket Club and plans to put details up on the club’s Facebook page.He said friends, family and supporters have also been rallying behind him to get donations from the public.“For me wining would be satisfaction. I would feel satisfied that I didn’t have to [walk in heels] and he did. But if I lose that is the only victory Mr Maybury is going to get [this year].”Mr Maybury said he’s not too worried about whether he wins or loses.He said he was mainly out to have fun and raise an much money as possible for BHCT.“The only thing I want to see Mr Paynter lose is Cup Match, other than that this is a fun thing to raise money and get people in the spirit of having a good laugh.“Things have been too serious in the Country so we need to have fun.“It’s a good thing this is a month before Cup Match; Neil can win this one but not the next one, being the two-day game,” he continued.BHCT marketing manager DeShae DeShields said the charity has been working with both cricket clubs in lead up to the Emancipation Day celebrations.“Cup Match is the biggest holiday in Bermuda and we couldn’t wait to get the rivalry started by pairing Mr Paynter and Mr Maybury against one another in this friendly fundraising competition.“We wish them both the best of luck and can’t wait to see which club president will walk the runway,” she said.Mr Paynter said he deliberated over his response for a week before he agreed to take part.“I took a while and I was looking at the e-mail saying ‘Is that what I really want to do?’ But in the end I said I would do it. Other than the community service side of it, it’s all in good fun.”Mr Paynter, a health and physical education teacher at Clearwater Middle School, said it’s been entertaining having people in the streets commenting on the fundraiser.He said his students were also looking forward to seeing him in high heels.“It’s good to see the kids are familiar with what is going on in our community and all know why me and Alfred are doing it.“For me it’s obviously to benefit our hospital, which benefits all Bermudians. If something benefits all the Bermudians in our Country, to me it’s a worthy cause.”Mr Maybury said people he knows have actually decided to vote against him and pledge their money to Mr Paynter instead.“I think most people have indicated they are going to pledge for Neil so they can see me in heels. That’s fine with me because the object is to raise money and I don’t mind that.”The Somerset Cricket Club president said it may be hard for organisers to find heels in his size and admitted walking in them may prove difficult.“I don’t know how you women walk around in heels and that is going to be a challenge. I am used to being on the ground. As long as I don’t twist my ankle.”He described himself as “very competitive” and said he hopes people come to the event to support all the participants and the worthy cause.Mr Maybury is also inviting West End fans to pledge their support. “If you are a Somerset fan and you want to see St George’s take a long walk, then vote for me,” he added.For more information or to donate visit www.bhct.bm.