It was enough for him to take off on a whirlwind journey to raise funds for an orphanage in Zambia.

The `Cycle4Africa' fundraiser from Melbourne to Canberra and back will aim to raise public awareness about poverty in Africa.

Along the way David will attempt to raise $20,000 for the Kazembe Baby Orphanage in Zambia, with support from The Salvation Army Altona and Williamstown Corps.

So far $6000 has been raised.

David is urging the Latrobe Valley to dig deep and help the worthy cause.

``Without encouragement, without value and hope the future of Zambia is questionable,'' David said.

``With half of the world affluent we have an obligation to respond to their plight and it is about giving Africa their support to build their foundations.

``It's not just about raising money, it's about building hope.''

David has only just started his journey but has already experienced a few close calls on the road.

``When you think what could be possible because of this ride, the outcomes makes those close calls very insignificant and I mean that,'' David said.

``This is the first time that I have taken such a public stand and it has been stewing in me for a long time and this issue deserves this amount of passion.

``The children (in Zambia) need classrooms, toilet blocks and educational tools. It's all about empowerment.''

An article David discovered in The Age newspaper spurred him on to the journey.

He said the article explained how children in Africa die from hunger and preventable diseases.

The article described how people in Africa ``are desperately hungry, babies are crying and acute malnutrition is a daily reality''.

Governments however are consumed by the global economic crisis, but David insists poverty should not be pushed off the agenda.

``Given the enormous amount of economic uncertainty we need to have the ability to maintain a commitment to (Africa's) needs,'' David said.

``Why should these people be paying the price because of the global economic crisis?''

David, who works with indigenous communities visited the Woolum Bellum Campus while in Morwell.

He said indigenous people encountered many of the issues faced by people living in Africa.

To follow David on his journey or donate to the cause, visit the site www.cycling4africa.blogspot.com