In February 2026, a group of intrepid cyclists will be making the incredible journey from the base of Kilimanjaro to Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania to raise much-needed funds for Bridge2aid.

The money raised will go towards running an outreach/training programme in February 2026. Eight Dental Therapists will be trained, and around 2000 people given emergency dental care.

Dentist Mike Hesketh is taking on a personal challenge to support oral health training in Tanzania. Mike is sponsored cycling a distance equivalent to Tavistock to London, in 30-degree heat on dirt tracks surrounded by Lions and Zebra, to raise awareness and funds for a vital oral health training module for the 67million population of Tanzania.

Mike has never fundraised before but has a history of providing dentistry both in the high veld in South Africa as a student and with the Royal Marine Commandos in Congo and Sierra Leone. He also jokes that he could afford to lose a few pounds of weight— so in his words, it all helps. But behind the humour lies a serious purpose: helping to tackle a shortage of oral health professionals that leaves millions of children and adults in pain and at risk of even death from preventable dental disease.

In the South West of England, many patients struggle to access dental care due to workforce shortages. In Tanzania, the situation is far more severe. The World Health Organization reports that “Only about 7% of primary care facilities in Tanzania provide oral health services.” For people living with toothache or infection, access often depends on sheer luck with many walking five days to access a tooth extraction.

The workforce gap is stark. WHO highlights that “there are only 3.3 dentists for every 100,000 people… around one-tenth of the global ratio.” In Tanzania, fewer than half of the required dental surgeons are currently in post. This is why training frontline providers — including dental therapists and community-based health workers — is one of the most effective ways to expand access quickly and sustainably.

This 'Train the Trainer' programme costs £40,000 to run. All volunteers' self-fund their trip so every penny goes towards this module. Mike's share of the target is £2000.

Tanzania is making important progress. The WHO describes the country’s new Universal Health Insurance Bill as “a milestone for oral health… expected to improve the health and well-being of millions of people who suffer from oral diseases.” However, policy alone cannot deliver care. Trained people are needed on the ground to turn this vision into reality.

How you can help

Your donation will directly support oral health training for frontline providers in Tanzania:

£25 would help greatly towards this cause.

Every contribution — large or small — helps transform oral health from a neglected issue into a basic part of primary care.

Thank you for supporting Mike’s ride, and for helping ensure that access to oral health care is widely available.

With sincere thanks,