Mr Mendham was airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital from Tallwoods Country Club, where he works and lives as the golf shop pro, with severe burns and in a coma.

The club is about half an hour south of Taree, near Forster, with the fire lighting in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Mr Mendham was found unconscious with burns to his hands and face.

Wentworth Golf Club Pro Todd Brakenridge said Mr Mendham, who left Orange about 15 years ago to move to the north coast, said he'd been saddened by the news.

"He always put his hand up to play with the juniors, which back in those days was a bit more rare than it is now," Mr Brakenridge said.

"He was one of the boys, a bit of a larrikin.

"He still is a larrikin."

He said Mr Mendham's influence on him and other young golfers in Orange had been strong.

"You wonder if he and others like him hadn't done that how many of those juniors would still be playing golf," Mr Brakenridge said.

The GoFundMe had 185 donors by 3pm on Thursday, with names from Orange and the north coast all pitching in.

"It's very sad what's happened and if people can get behind [the fundraiser] they should," Mr Brakenridge said.

"It shows how well liked he was, with people from both Tallwood and from Orange donating."

Tallwoods village resident, Jayee Thomas set-up the page and said the response from the community had been awesome.

"They've been great," she said.

"It just shows that they get together when something happens."

Many of the donors had also left messages for Mendham wishing him a speedy recovery and describing his kind and caring nature.

A fundraising event is also being planned in Hallidays Point to raise further proceeds towards Jeff's recovery.

Close friend Mark Fisher said Mr Mendham had a long road ahead of him.

"Jeff has lost everything except his car," he said.

"He's loved by everyone in the community ... he's a brilliant human being."

The GoFundMe can be found here.