A group of six university students are calling on residents to take part in a new challenge to help raise vital funds and awareness to support people experiencing homelessness.
‘Step Out to Help the Homeless’ will see families, friends, individuals and colleagues walking 8,793 steps on a day of their choice to match the 8,793 emergency hostel bed spaces that Bath charity Julian House provides each year.
Participants will then donate to Julian House to support its work and be in with a chance of winning prizes including a signed Bath Rugby shirt.
The event, which is happening between Monday 2nd August and Sunday 8th August, has been organised by students from the University of Bath, all studying at the School of Management.
Due to the pandemic, the team have been relying on video calls to pull the event together.
Co-organiser Hector Addison said: “Two members of the group are also based in Hong Kong, so they have had some very late nights helping to put this all together!
“We were really impressed by the fact that Julian House provides so many bed spaces each year but equally it’s shocking that so many vulnerable individuals still need these spaces.
“As so many of us have been cooped up at home during the various lockdowns, we felt that combining a charity fundraiser with an event that we hope encourages people to be more active will result in a positive change, both for our participants, but more importantly for the individuals their donations are helping to support.”
People can now sign up to take on the challenge and pledge to walk the steps in one single go, or cumulatively throughout the course of one day.
Once complete they will be entered into a draw to win prizes, including an afternoon tea for two at the Homewood Hotel & Spa Bath, at No.15 Great Pulteney or at the Ivy Bath Brasserie; Amazon vouchers amounting to £150 in total and various other vouchers for cafés and restaurants in Bath.
Hector said: “The average life expectancy of a rough sleeper is just 44 years old. By raising funds and creating awareness for Julian House, we can make a real difference for those currently experiencing homelessness to help them access safe accommodation and begin to rebuild their lives.
“As we begin to return to a relatively ‘normal’ life, it’s important to remember that there are many living in our city for whom ‘normal’ is not an option.
“We want people to enjoy the challenge, whether simply by getting outside and exploring, getting active and walking off weary lockdown legs, or the sense of community they may feel in taking part.
“After all, the 8,793 steps participants will be walking reflects the number of beds that Julian House provides in a year, so this direct link is perhaps something to reflect on during the event.”
For more information, and to take part, click here.
