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!

1,600 miles is how long it would take to get from Land’s End to John o’ Groats going by every Emmaus community in the UK.

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 pain killers 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.

We hope to raise £5,000, which will provide charity dental treatment for approximately two years and an additional fund for emergency dental treatment.

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).