Hippo lost his wife to cancer in 2008 and said during her illness he became aware of the need for accommodation close to cancer treatment centres.

He established a non-for-profit organisation, Hippo's Cancer Ride and says he aims to build family-friendly facilities to help ease some of the emotional and financial strain experienced when having to travel for life-saving care.

"These facilities will enable families to stay together during their times of need," he said.

Hippo and his support person, Alice Daniels, are halfway through the six month Queensland leg of his fundraising trip around Australia.

"We have been spreading the word at town and country shows, shopping centres and rodeos," he said.

"There are nearly five million people in Queensland. If one million people were to donate $10, imagine what could be achieved.

"If we all pulled together and shared this view, imagine the accommodation that could be built."

Hippo and Alice will be participating in the Mardi Gras and markets on Friday night at the Xstrata Mount Is Rotary Rodeo.