The retired microbiologist and classical guitar player is on no ordinary holiday, travelling around Australia to raise money and awareness for Lifeline.

A three-year, street performing tour will take him to more than 150 destinations across the country; and this week he is visiting Mount Isa.

Mr Mandel will be performing at the Mount Isa Woolworths on Miles Street on Thursday and the Mount Isa Village Kmart Plaza on Friday and Saturday between 9.30am and 2.30pm.

Mount Isa is his final Queensland performance before he travels into the Northern Territory to continue his anticlockwise rotation of the country.

To date Mr Mandel has already raised about $15,300 for Lifeline from 126 performances.

“I thought about starting my own foundation when I retired from my job as a microbiologist, but after I did some research I found Lifeline was a good charity to be involved with and to raise money for,” he said.

“My goal is to reach out to as many people as possible and let them know of the good work Lifeline does.”

The national charity provides all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.

“We are all aware that so many Australians are experiencing personal crisis,” he said.

“So far I have had 27 individuals approach me whilst performing to express their own personal crisis. I was their first point of contact for help and I was happy to provide them information about Lifeline.”

Mr Mandel said this was what drives him to continue his journey.

“It is privileged for me to reach out and raise public awareness about the importance of Lifeline,” he said.

“Driving around Australia in my camper van, I have battled extreme conditions.

“In New South Wales I battled against minus five degree weather and now in Queensland fighting against the exhausting 40 degree weather.”

Mr Mandel said staying in Mount Isa was the second time he had stayed in a motel on his journey.

“It is just too hot. I believe for the next two months I will be spending more time in motels and cabins instead of my van.”

Mr Mandel is profoundly deaf but that doesn’t get in the way of his performances as he ensures the music pieces are in front of him when playing the guitar.

Lifeline is involved in all aspects of suicide prevention across a spectrum of care including early intervention, continuing care and bereavement support.

Lifeline provides access to a range of services - suicide prevention support, self-help resources and mental health information, as well as a variety of programs specific to the needs of local communities.

Lifeline’s 24 hour crisis support line (13 11 14) offers a confidential, non-judgemental service offered by trained telephone crisis support volunteers.