Freedom Riders Australia has raised more than $12,500 for charities and attracted more than 2500 spectators to their Johnny the Boy Lives Tour 2016 to honour the 1979 Mad Max film.

Spokesman Dale Maggs says the event last weekend (January 30-31) was a huge success for their chosen charities and for attracting new members. Freedom Riders, which rides for charity and political causes, now has more than 4000 followers around Australia.

Last weekend’s event at the Victorian gold-mining town of Clunes was the “ultimate Mad Max experience since the filming of the epic Australian film”.

“Riders attended from as far afield as Queensland and even Japan. We had more than 500 riders who booked camp sites,” says Dale.

“They where treated to a tour of the region to locations within the area where scenes were filmed and given a rundown in the process.”

Among those who attended were Mad Max stars “Clunk”, “Humungus” and Terry Gibson, as well as former AMC chair Shaun Lennard who was promoting the Black Dog Ride.

The event also included displays of Mad Max cars, vans and Toecutter gang motorbikes, a public show and shine, live bands at night and the stars chatting about the Mad Max movie filming.

“Gibbo did a great job explaining the scenes and how the Vigilantes MC assisted the filming,” says Dale. It was priceless trivia.”

Freedom Riders raised more than $12,500 for charities at the weekend including $10,000 for Multiple Sclerosis.

“This was chosen as Mad Max actor Vince Gill’s wife was recently diagnosed with this debilitating disorder,” Dale says.

He thanked the Freedom Rider members from the “infamous 777 Ballarat division” for their efforts in organising the event.

It follows the successful Freedom Riders Mad Max Silverton run in 2015.

“We are now looking at an even bigger event for the 40th Anniversary of Mad Max,” he says.

Meanwhile, North Queensland riders are welcome to join the Freedom Riders on their next ride on February 27-28, hosted by the Townsville club.