Students launch challenge to aid homeless hostel

A group of six university students from Bath are calling on members of the public to take part in a new challenge to help those experiencing homelessness.

“Step Out to Help the Homeless” will see families, friends, individuals and corporates walking 8,793 steps on a day of their choice to match the 8,793 emergency hostel bed spaces that Julian House provides every year.

Participants then donate to Julian House to support its work and to be in with a chance of winning a prize.

The event, which is happening from now until Sunday, has been organised by students from the University of Bath all studying at the School of Management.

Co-organiser Hector Addison said: “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 sign up now 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 with prizes including a signed Bath rugby shirt, an afternoon tea for two, £150 of Amazon vouchers and various other vouchers for cafes and restaurants in Bath.

To find out more, visit the Facebook page Step Out To Help The Homeless.