The retired microbiologist and classical guitar player is on no ordinary holiday.

He is on a mission to raise money and awareness for Lifeline.

A three-year classical guitar street performing tour will take him to more than 150 destinations across the country.

Mr Mandel is in Port Macquarie at the moment.

He is performing at Coles Port Macquarie on August 11, 12 and 13.

“I retired a few years ago,” he said.

“I thought I would do something for an important Australian charitable organisation.”

Mr Mandel has raised $8600 to date for Lifeline.

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.

Mr Mandel is continually moved by people’s reactions to his tour.

One man drove 27 kilometres to Moree just to express his thanks.

“By the time he left, I was almost in tears,” Mr Mandel said.

The more or less anticlockwise journey, which started in Canberra, is taking Mr Mandel across Australia.

He performs at malls and supermarkets for three to four hours at a time, up to five times a week.

And the donations flow in.

Two display boards contain facts about Lifeline.

The tour has taken in places including Shepparton, Leeton, Orange, Dubbo, the Central Coast, Newcastle and the New England.

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.

The donations go to Lifeline.

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.