Mr Bradford's Hyundai was stolen sometime Wednesday night from outside the Buninyong CFA station, leaving him about $5000 out of pocket after an insurance pay out.

F45 Ballarat has started a fundraising campaign which will run until Saturday to help Mr Bradford cover the difference.

While F45 gyms across the country took part in a national fundraising event on Saturday, the Ballarat venue decided it would wait a week and run a fundraising event of one of its own.

F45 Ballarat owner Leigh Brady said Mr Bradford was one of the gym's 'nearest and dearest' and the gym would start the fundraiser off with a $1000 donation.

"We always support people that support us," he said.

"Even last year when he started his own travel consultancy business, which struggled during COVID-19, we gave him a free membership so he could keep at it.

"Obviously, he's a ripper fella, brings a lot to us and to hear that his car got stolen while he was doing volunteer work was pretty devastating."

The gym plans to take donations on-site and set up a GoFundMe page with the hope of raising enough money to replace the car.

"It would be awesome to be able to get him a new car without him being out of pocket," Mr Brady said.

"The more people that give a little bit, only $5 or $10 from 300 people, its not much out of their pocket but it will mean so much to Ed and his family."

Mr Bradford said the support from gym had been phenomenal and he had also received an offer from Ballarat Subaru for assistance when the time comes to buy a car.

"It's a gym and a community that has come together numerous times and I never thought I would be on the end of that community support," he said.

"When the Facebook post went up, I was in tears. It was heartwarming and so overwhelming.

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"I've been there for over three years now and it's not just a place to workout, everybody comes in, you say hello, you have a good banter and you might not even know those people, but everyone has the same attitude and it has a nice community feel.

"I feel bad that people are putting their hands in their pockets, but at the same time, whatever I can get helps because I haven't had income for a year and the wife is working for the both of us, so it's a tough gig.

"It's just a tough situation, I feel for anyone who's been in this situation."

Anyone interested in donating is encouraged to contact F45 Ballarat.