Mr Watts, a charter member of the International Fellowship of Motorcycling Rotarians, used Doveton as his kick-off point last Monday for a fund-raising ride around Australia to raise $40,000 for Rotary's global ShelterBox project.

Perched atop his BMW R100 LT touring motorcycle, Mr Watts will have travelled almost 20,000kilometres by the time he finishes his journey in Melbourne on September 27.

When the Journal caught up with Mr Watts by phone in Canberra last Thursday, he had already raised $3600.

"I should be on track to pick up the target of $40,000,'' he said.

Mr Watts, who will celebrate his 67th birthday on the road, is from Berri, South Australia.

Although joking he raised the funds by "begging for my supper'', Mr Watts has a punishing schedule as a guest speaker at Rotary Clubs during every stage of his trip.

After explaining the huge difference ShelterBox can make to people hit by natural and other disasters, he hopes to walk away with cheques from the clubs to put towards the disaster relief packs.

Each box, which can help a family of 10 survive for about six months, has a 10-person tent, insulated groundsheets, thermal blankets, a multi-fuel stove, cooking equipment, tools, children's school supplies, mosquito nets and water containers. Australia joined the project in 2003, with the Endeavour Hills Rotary Club becoming the accredited international affiliate.

Mr Watts said he would take a "little breather'' when he returned from his charity ride but was planning to spread the ShelterBox message next year at inland Rotary clubs all the way up to Broken Hill.

"I couldn't hack being home doing nothing,'' he said.