Ute fundraiser becomes a social media sensation and fetches $4000

Social media was abuzz with excitement on Thursday night as Shaun Thomson auctioned his Mad Max replica ute on Facebook to raise money for research into motor neurone disease.

By Monday morning, the auction video had amassed more than 100,000 views on the social media platform, and Mr Thomson had raised close to $4000.

The fundraiser was a tribute to Mr Thomson’s mother, Trudy, who died from the disease at the age of 52.

It follows on from his successful headshave held last year for the same cause.

Mr Thomson dedicated his nights and weekends to building ‘Max’ across three months.

“I had two options – get it painted and make it look schmick or go with Mad Max. It was the flip of a coin,” he said.

“The car is ugly like the disease but tough like the people fighting it.”

He thanked RT & LA Scilley for the use of their workshop and equipment, and his family for their support.

Wee Waa Panel Repairs owner George Smith, Mr Thomson’s brother-in-law, was the successful bidder for the ute, giving $3200 to the cause. Donations to Mr Thomson’s fundraising efforts can still be made on his Facebook profile ‘Mr Shauny Thomson’ via the donate button.