A beloved mother tragically died after falling ill at an F45 fitness class in the New South Wales town of Griffith on Monday, November 11.
Lumepa, who was a mother of four, suddenly collapsed during a session, said her close friend and F45 Griffith owner and trainer Andy Gamble.
“This was very unexpected for everyone who attended as members helped with their quick response when I noticed Lumepa on the ground which we knew did not look or feel well,” Mr. Gamble wrote on the page . GoFundMe prepared for Lumepa’s family.
“I feel it’s right to do the best I can to try to help support his family while he was training the F45 class… when Lumepa suddenly collapsed.
“Paramedics were called as Jess and I did everything we could to keep Lumepa’s chances of survival as high as possible,” he said.
“She was then taken to hospital where she sadly passed away.”
Gamble said the money raised would go toward helping Lumepa’s family get through “this difficult time with her children’s education and all the other expenses that life brings us.”
He said Lumepa’s death was so sudden and unexpected that she “never had the opportunity to say goodbye to her four children and her beloved husband Maika Laweloa and other family members.”
Lumepa (pictured left) suddenly collapsed during a session, said his close friend and F45 Griffith owner and trainer Andy Gamble.
Paramedics were called and Lumepa was taken to a local hospital, but they were unable to save her.
Lumepa was a star player for Yenda rugby league club for over 15 years, including captaining the Premiership winning team in 2017 and being part of this year’s Premiership winning team.
His love for his family shined through to the end, Gamble said.
‘These are some of the things Lumepa told me about the morning of class, so I think it’s important to mention them to show your children how even at 5:40 am they were always on your mind.
“Some of her last words told me how proud she was of her children,” she said.
He talked about Serenity’s 21st birthday on December 4 and how she was studying at Avondale College and finishing her last semester the day Lumepa died.
Jone, 18, will soon graduate from Year 12 at Murrumbidgee High School and had planned to travel to Sydney this weekend to buy a tuxedo for the ceremony.
He also talked about Maika Junior (Nia), his 15-year-old son who is dedicated to soccer, and how he planned to take him to court.
And he spoke with pride about Sulita, 10 years old, ‘the baby of the family and Lumepa’s shadow.’ Mr. Griffith said.
The F45 owner said “any donation would be greatly appreciated at this time to help support the family.”
“I know it’s hard to come up with extra money to donate and I totally understand if people can’t do it, but any donation, no matter how big or small, would really make a big difference.”
He ended by saying ‘rest in peace Lumepa, we will miss you very much.’
