THE official fan groups of the former prime minister Kevin Rudd will travel to Canberra next month where they hope to meet the man they believe should be returned to the top job.
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''This one is a bit of a pre-trip,'' says the founder of the Rudd Alliance, Katherine de Heer, who is preparing for a fan trip to mark the return of Parliament next month.
''We're planning for a celebration when he's reinstated. That will be huge.''
The Rudd groupies are a phenomenon that not even Mr Rudd's caucus supporters can fully fathom.
''I have no idea who they are,'' said one bemused MP.
Members of the Rudd Alliance and the Rudd Factor want to be in the gallery for the first Question Time after the winter break to demonstrate what they believe is the public's desire for his return.
Both groups use Facebook and Twitter to mobilise their supporters and send messages of support to Mr Rudd and his family.
The Alliance has 1000 followers on Twitter and the Rudd Factor has 1700 followers.
Ms de Heer formed the group in June 2010 as soon as she learnt there would be a leadership spill.
''There's something about him that makes him easy to relate to.
''He just seems like your average joe,'' she says of her support for Mr Rudd.
Even though they have no formal links with Mr Rudd, the groups madden supporters of the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard.
Mr Rudd has spent much of the parliamentary break travelling overseas giving speeches and generally keeping out of sight as leadership rumblings continue.
Ms de Heer, 48, will drive from Melbourne to Canberra in her Rudd Alliance emblazoned car to meet other fans for the first Question Time after the six week parliamentary break.
She is hopeful of an official meeting with Mr Rudd, who she has never met.
A spokeswoman for Mr Rudd said he received ''hundreds of requests for meetings'' but had not yet received an official request from the group.
''There is nothing in the diary,'' she said.
Brad Newman, who runs the Rudd Factor, will not be able to make the trip but already has 70 people who are planning to come to Canberra.
''When Kevin comes back, it really comes down to that public support being active for him and being an asset,'' Mr Newman said in an email.
