A team of 20 dental professionals from across the UK are this week taking on an extraordinary cycling challenge across Tanzania, riding more than 380 kilometres from the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro to the Ngorongoro Crater to raise £65,000 for dental charity Bridge2Aid.
The five-day ride brings together dentists and industry leaders, united by a shared commitment to improving access to oral healthcare in underserved communities around the world. Cycling across rugged terrain, along remote roads and in challenging conditions, the team is raising funds which are vital in supporting Bridge2Aid’s oral health education, training and treatment programmes in Tanzania.
Bridge2Aid works in partnership with local health systems to mentor and train dental professionals, strengthen community health services and prevent harmful traditional practices such as Infant Oral Mutilation (IOM). Through education, workforce development and community-led approaches, the charity helps create long-term, sustainable access to dental care.
Shaenna Loughnane, CEO of Bridge2Aid, said: “This challenge captures perfectly what Bridge2Aid is all about; professionals using their skills, energy and determination to bring about lasting change. These cyclists are not just covering hundreds of kilometres; they are helping to build pain-free futures for children and adults who would otherwise have no access to care. We are hugely grateful for their incredible commitment and generosity.”
Among the riders is Colin Campbell, founder and Clinical Director of The Campbell Clinic and Campbell Academy, who has supported Bridge2Aid for many years. Speaking ahead of the ride, he said: “As dental professionals, we see every day how life-changing good oral health can be. Riding across Tanzania is tough, but it pales in comparison to the daily reality faced by communities without access to basic dental care. Supporting Bridge2Aid means supporting sustainable solutions that genuinely change lives.”
Fellow rider and long-time Bridge2Aid collaborator Chris Barrow added: “This ride is about much more than fundraising; it’s about awareness, solidarity and using our platform as a profession to do something meaningful. Bridge2Aid’s work aligns perfectly with the values many of us hold as clinicians and dental industry leaders.”
Funds raised through the challenge will directly support Bridge2Aid’s training programmes for dental therapists based in rural areas (in Tanzania??).
The team is aiming to reach its ambitious £65,000 target by the end of the ride. As Day Two dawns, the cyclists have already raised £59,000 towards this sum and are looking to supporters to help push them to their goal.
You can support the cyclists and help them reach the finish line by donating here: https://www.justgiving.com/team/peaktoplains
