"We know what it's like to be hurt, we know what it's like to be at the darkest and lowest points, and we build ourselves up by doing martial arts," he said.

When Mr Denholm saw the impact a break-in had on his community, he had to act - and the community pulled together to raise $3000.

"Two or three days after the break-in happened, I realised just how down Richard (Kemp) was, and how down Todd (Burgess) was, and how much it hurt them," he said.

"I've never organised anything like this, I've never done any charity work or anything like that.

"But I felt impelled to talk to everyone in the gym and try to come up with way of giving back.

"I just wanted to show them that everything they do for us doesn't go unnoticed, and we really take it to heart.

"More than sixty people jumped on board, other businesses wanted to get involved, other gyms, all of a sudden we'd raised over $3000."

There wasn't a dry eye in the gym on Monday, March 11, when Mr Denholm and other fighters surprised Mr Burgess and Mr Kemp with their fundraising efforts.

Mr Burgess said he was stunned to learn of the break in - and equally stunned by the outpouring of support.

"I was woken up by a barrage of missed calls, messages, saying the gym had been broken into," he said.

"From the minute I saw the broken door it felt like my own home had been broken into.

"All of a sudden, the group bands together, and did a very touching thing to try and get us back on our feet."

Jiu-jitsu black belt Tony Pycroft travelled from Bowral to hold a surprise seminar as part of the fund-raising efforts.

"I came to support Richard and the gym - in times of need, that's what we do, we all band together," he said.

"We aren't immune to life's ups and downs, and we stick together." 

Mr Kemp said he was "dumbfounded" by the support.

"That they would do this all for the gym, I'm speechless," he said.

"I'm quite happy and proud to have such amazing people in my life."