The Fulham schoolboy who shot to worldwide fame after raising £250,000 for victims of the Haiti earthquake disaster is at it again - this time coming to the aid of famine-stricken Somalis.

Charlie Simpson, nine, featured on news programmes around the globe and won awards for his epic cycle ride around South Park last year, which prompted an avalanche of sponsorship donations by people touched by his act of simple kindness.

He sprung into action after being moved by news reports of the suffering, and it was the same story this time, as footage of starving children being kept alive with drips told him he had to get on the fundraising trail again, in association with UNICEF.

Last week he joined a group of more than 200 school children to cycle a combined distance of 450 miles around a park in Stepney, the equivalent distance from Mogadishu in Somalia to the Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya, which is the walk being completed by thousands of starving Somali families as they try to escape the worsening famine.

Charlie said: "I am really glad I did my bike ride for UNICEF because I enjoyed it and it helped save thousands and thousands of children. It makes me sad to see poor and hungry children on the news. We are trying to help because small things can make a difference. Please sponsor us."

Charlie's mother, Leonora, said her son's charitable nature continues to make her proud. "As soon as he sees anything on the TV which is upsetting he is straight onto me asking if we can phone UNICEF.

"He is just nine but he seems to be one of these kids that wants to help when he can, and I think that's something to be really proud of. And if he continues doing that throughout his life, that's fine by me."

Somali-born athlete Mo Farah heard about Charlie's efforts and lavished him with praise. He said: "I am no stranger to pushing myself when it comes to physical challenges, but even I am hugely impressed with what Charlie and his chums have achieved.

"Famine is claiming the lives of children at an alarming rate. I cannot say thank you enough to Charlie and friends for helping to save their lives."

* To donate, visit www.unicef.org.uk/bike4somalia