British actor Ewan McGregor has embarked on monumental motorcycle journey from London to Cape Town, South Africa, in a bid to raise money for charity. The Star Wars star has already arrived in Italy with friend Charley Boorman - on the first leg of their trip, dubbed 'Long Way Down.'

The pair completed a similar adventure in 2004 from Scotland to New York via Europe and Asia, which was made into the BBC documentary Long Way Round.

McGregor and Boorman will pass through 20 countries including many areas plagued with poverty, violence and civil strife. They hope to raise funds for UNICEF, the Children's Hospice Association Scotland and the charity Riders For Health - which supports motorcycle-riding health workers in Africa.

McGregor, 36, says, "Long Way Round changed us all - it boned us together and made our dreams come true - and it's not often something like that happens. So to be given another opportunity to do something like this is amazing."

Long Way Down is also being made into a TV series.

-Ewan McGregor Pictures

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)