When Fundraising Gets Wild

If you’ve ever needed motivation to pedal harder, this might be it.

While this photo is definitely a product of imagination (no cyclists were chased by lions in real life…), it does capture the spirit of what lies ahead.

In February 2026, I’ll be cycling 330km across Tanzania, from the base of Mount Kilimanjaro to the Ngorongoro Crater. It’s a tough route — long distances, rough terrain, and intense heat — but thankfully, no predators actually giving chase.

The reason I’m taking on this challenge is far more serious than the photo suggests.

I’m riding to support Bridge2Aid, a charity working to improve access to safe, emergency dental care in communities where treatment is often unavailable. In Tanzania, there are only around three dentists for every 100,000 people.

For many, something as simple as severe toothache can mean days of travelling just to receive basic treatment — often the removal of a painful tooth.

Untreated dental disease isn’t just uncomfortable. It can lead to constant pain, missed education, lost income, and in some cases, life-threatening infections — all from conditions that are completely preventable.

Bridge2Aid tackles this problem by training local healthcare workers to deliver emergency dental care safely and sustainably. Instead of relying on short-term fixes, this approach builds long-lasting skills within communities.

In March 2026, the programme will train eight dental therapists, helping around 2,000 people access urgent treatment they would otherwise go without.

Importantly, all volunteers involved — including me — cover the cost of their own travel. That means every donation goes directly towards delivering the training programme and helping people get the care they need.

So while the image might show me racing across the savannah with lions, cheetahs, and hyenas at my heels, the real chase is against unnecessary pain and lack of access to care.

Thank you to everyone who has already donated — your support is genuinely changing lives. And if you haven’t yet, there’s still time to help make a real difference.

You can donate here:http://www.justgiving.com/page/dumitru-aunianu-7?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=WA

No cyclists were harmed in the making of this photo — but with your help, thousands of people will be.