Fundraiser launched for Flow Bouldering owners after Nambour house fire

The Sunshine Coast’s bouldering and rock climbing community is rallying behind one of its own after owners of a popular gym lost everything in a devastating house fire.

The Sunshine Coast bouldering and rock climbing community is rallying behind a fundraising effort to support a young couple that lost their home in a ferocious house fire.

James Hembury and Angel Freeman lost their home in an inferno at Campese Tce in Nambour on Monday, September 11.

While the engaged couple escaped the dwelling with their two dogs, tragically they lost their beloved cat Catan.

To help the owners of rock climbing gym Flow Bouldering get back on their feet, Mount Coolum resident and gym member Ric Todhunter has started a GoFundMe page.

Since the page was launched on Tuesday, it has attracted more than $18,000 in donations from more than 90 people.

Emergency services at the house fire which completely destroyed a home at Nambour. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Mr Todhunter said it was the least he could do for his friends.

“It’s a horrible situation for anybody to be in and I feel for them,” Mr Todhunter said.

“They walked away with nothing other than their clothing on their back.

“I felt terrible for them and wanted to do whatever I could to help them.

Flow Bouldering owners and couple James Hembury, left, and Angel Freeman, right. Picture: supplied.

“I think rock climbing in itself is something that develops a resilience and I think that Angel and James are resilient people and that they’ll come out of this.”

Mr Todhunter described Mr Hembury and Ms Freeman as “likeable people”.

“When you first meet them, you immediately kind of get that feeling that these are nice people,” he said.

“They have created a wonderful community, our whole family has developed good friendships and solid groups within the flow community there.”

Climbers at Flow Bouldering Gym in Forest Glen. Picture: Eddie Franklin

Mr Todhunter expressed his gratitude to the members of the bouldering/rock climbing community and wider public that supported the fundraiser.

“(It) is a good example of how the community is down there,” he said.

The fundraiser follows the completion of the fire investigation, with the cause of the non-suspicious blaze undetermined.

Originally published as Fundraiser launched for Flow Bouldering owners after Nambour house fire