A KEEN traveller from West Devon will be putting his hobby to good use as he embarks on a challenging trip across Europe on a 'clapped out' moped, to give Bulgarian orphans better career opportunities.

Nineteen-year-old Tobias Cattrall from Hatherleigh is planning a challenging trip to ride from Plymouth to Provadia in Bulgaria on his 20-year-old Honda Cub C90, having never driven that far before.

Tobias will be raising money for the Okehampton-based charity The House Of Rachel, which aims to provide education and safe housing for orphaned and troubled youngsters leaving orphanages in Bulgaria.

Graphic designer Tobias said: 'In 2005 I visited Bulgaria, and with my own eyes, I witnessed things kids my own age at the time were going through.

'Boys and girls from all backgrounds were, for better or worse, sent to the poorly funded orphanages to be fed, clothed and barely educated, only to be kicked out at 18 with no skills and forced into a life of prostitution, drugs and crime.

'It broke my heart to see children, bearing in mind this is an EU country, as young as ten and eleven, selling their bodies and stealing.

'The spirit and smiles these kids had despite their situation was the real inspiration for me to decide that one day, I will be back to make a difference.'

Tobias said he is determined to make this trip despite his lack of mechanical experience.

He said: 'Naturally I am madly excited, but with anything this insane there are a certain amount of nerves involved, more so to do with being prepared in time and how many sponsors we can get.

'I'm less concerned about whether the bike will make it as the old Honda C90 is voted the world's toughest bike. If it does die, I'll be scrapping it and putting my thumb out to hitch hike — I'm not letting the kids down.'

The trip is due to start in July, and all proceeds will be given to the House of Rachel project to improve the lives of the children in areas that need it most.

'I hope to raise enough money to buy some basic teaching resources for some of the orphans in Provadia, however if I raise £50 or £50,000, it will all be worth it,' said Tobias.

Anyone who would like to support the trip by donating money or to obtain sponsorship forms can call 01837 810663. For more information visit http://www.toottoot.info">www.toottoot.info