We started this campaign with an aim to raise £5,000 through a sponsored marathon.

"Companions, staff, volunteers, trustees and supporters will be walking, running or cycling to reach a total of 1,600 miles during ‘Marathon May’. That’s 51.5 miles a day!"

We completed the marathon may exercise target easily!

With the help of our beautiful Just Giving donors, and two large contributions from Emmaus UK and Brisdoc, we beat our initial £5,000 target and we're now aiming for £10,000!

Anyone who has experienced homelessness will know that being street homeless means no address and no dentist. Currently, most companions have no access to NHS dental treatment as it is unavailable and they urgently need it.

Companions are forced to use antibiotics to stop rotting teeth spreading infections in their mouths. The best they can hope for is to have otherwise healthy teeth pulled due to a lack of routine dental care available to them, meaning some companions have no teeth and no dentures.

Many companions are in pain and can do nothing about it other than to go the doctor or pharmacy for painkillers or antibiotics.

By raising money Emmaus Bristol will be able to pay for low cost dental treatment provided by a dental charity. They can provide preventative treatments, such as oral cancer checks, dietary advice, and hygiene, along with x-rays, fillings and extractions. For those needing emergency treatment, the fund will be available instantly.

With the money raised so far we've already had a two-day visit from Dentaid, and 13 brave formerly homeless adults have had dental treatment. Sean (who hadn't seen a dentist in 3 years) said "even with dental anxiety they put me at ease, and I had no problems".

Please help us by donating to this vital fund or by sharing in the challenge (we welcome members of the public to participate and reach the total).

Emergency dental care is of course a short term fix. We also need to be registering companions with dentists. There have actually been protests in our neighbourhood about the lack of NHS dentists! If you hear of a dentist in Bristol taking new patients - BS2 ideally - please email slawek@emmausbristol.org.uk