The federal member for Fraser is giving up technology as World Vision's 40 Hour Famine kicks off this weekend, taking a stand against global hunger for its 40th year running.

It's no mean feat for a member of parliament during a busy sitting period. Dr Leigh says it will be the longest time he has spent away from his phone and email in more than a decade.

He will join a series of ACT schools participating in the long-running fundraising campaign.

Mount Stromlo High School, Telopea Park School, Melrose High School and Alfred Deakin High School are hoping to raise $25,000 between them, while Trinity Christian School has organised a school sleepover on Friday.

One person in eight goes to bed hungry each night across the globe. Dr Leigh is horrified by this statistic.

"It's absolutely appalling that in a world where we have so much wealth collectively that there is still so much inequality, that there are still people who go to bed hungry, who don't have clean drinking water, parents who bury their children," he said.

Dr Leigh is expecting withdrawal symptoms from technology when he participates in the 40 Hour Famine as part of his long campaign for overseas aid.

"It's reminding me how much we use these technologies. If I want to know what the weather is like these days I'm more likely to check my smartphone than look out the window," he said.

It may be an issue that the Fraser MP is unplugging between two parliamentary sitting weeks, but Dr Leigh is prepared to turn back time with technology if needed.

"If there are any serious problems we're going to be able to hook up to the landline so I'll be able to do everything that a politician could do 40 years ago," he said.

World Vision has raised around $200 million from the 40 Hour Famine since it began in 1975.

This year nearly 35,000 people have signed up to sacrifice food, technology, furniture, or speaking for the weekend.