WHEN Ray Colbert was a young man serving his country in the Australian Navy, little did he realise later in his life he would be on another mission to help save lives.

Ray Colbert is travelling 150 kilometres in five days from Toowoomba to Brisbane in his wheelchair, to raise awareness of asbestosis.

Asbestosis is a debilitating disease he contracted during his time lagging pipes in the engine rooms on navy ships and is a silent killer of many other Australian people.

Mr Colbert said he has known of cases of people afflicted with asbestosis from as young as the age of 25 through to 95-year-olds who were exposed to the material in their own homes.

"If we can stop asbestos exposure, we can stop the disease," he said. "Any pre-1990 house can contain asbestos."

Mr Colbert said the idea behind his journey was to raise awareness of the illness and to raise funds for the research and support through the Queensland Asbestos Related Disease Support Society of which his wife and 24 hour carer is president.

Mr Colbert will complete his journey at Brisbane's St Stephen's Cathedral on November 25.

You can support Ray by visiting his website raysride.com.au and make a donation to support his mission.