Bath has been marking the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen and a week ago thousands of people in regency costume promenaded through the city in celebration

It was a wonderful sight but a far cry from Bath’s issues with homelessness or residents facing domestic violence. That was addressed this Sunday when more than 450 hardy people - and some dogs like Swifty - took part in a 20 mile walk around the city in aid of Julian House.

The charity supports vulnerable and at-risk people. These include adults and young people experiencing homelessness, escaping domestic abuse, adults with learning difficulties and people needing support after leaving prison. The Circuit of Bath Walk is Julian House’s main fundraising event of the year and participants raise huge amounts of money through sponsorship, donations and buying the occasional official T-shirt.

That 20 mile walk is certainly no stroll in the park. It takes in Bath’s famous seven hills as well as some nasty steep and slippery bits. One walker turned his ankle on the way round but still managed to complete the route. They were certainly a hardy lot.

The event was organised with military precision by the charity and that is where GoodGym came in - helping to man the one of the checkpoints along the way. This included cheering the walkers home, stamping their progress on their maps and awarding them special medals for completing the challenge. It was certainly a privilege to witness and encourage their achievement.

Jane Austen never dwelled on the poverty of her time and even today Bath is seen as an affluent place. We have to rely on the efforts of charities like Julian House to tackle that grim underbelly and hope the contribution of our time helps a little.