Former Bathurst man Mark Lavis is taking on the biggest challenge of his life as he rides more than 2000km on a unicycle to raise money for the Afghan Mini Circus for Children (AMMCC).

Currently studying International Relations and Arabic at the Australian National University (ANU), Mark decided to use his mid-year break to try and achieve the almost impossible by cycling from Canberra to Melbourne and then on to Adelaide.

Just a few days out from Melbourne, Mark said some treacherous cross winds had made his journey tougher than first expected.

“It has been very challenging to say the least with some bad weather and some crazy cross winds,” he said. “Over the Great Dividing Range was very hard and it certainly tested my fitness.”

Mark said he had always wanted to try and see how far he could unicycle and raising money for the AMMCC provided the perfect opportunity.

“On a unicycle your legs never get a rest because if you are not pedalling then you’re keeping your balance, so after a long day it has been very important to stretch and avoid getting a stiff bum,” he said.

The AMMCC is a non profit non-government organisation which has been working out of Kabul in Afghanistan since 2002.

It provides an education for 350 disadvantage children a year and uses the medium of circus arts and theatre to teach children about health, safety and tolerance.

It’s programs have managed to reach half a million children in 16 provinces and give some of the most disadvantage children the skills and confidence to express themselves and teach others through their performances.

Mark said since starting his journey on June 20 it has been very tough to get up and going some mornings.

“The hardest thing at the moment is getting up every morning and convincing yourself to get back on the unicycle,” he said.

“But once your up and going your spirits lift up as well.

“Also carrying a one man tent, a sleeping bag, a thermarest, a trangia, one pair of spare clothes, and enough food and water for a few days all on your back takes a while to get used to.”

Mark added the most amazing thing he has experienced so far has been the shear amount of support his has received from people along the way.

“The way everyone responded to what I was doing was very helpful and up lifting,” he said

“Coming into Cooma I decided to have a break and while I was resting a lady pulled over and gave me a cappuccino.

“She had past me on the way into town and decided to come back out, bring me a coffee and find out what I was doing.”

Mark expects to finish his journey on July 20.