Over £1 million raised for Bondi Beach hero who wrestled gun from terrorist
Donations have poured in for Bondi’s “true Australian hero” Ahmed al-Ahmed, the Syrian Muslim who was shot twice as he bravely tackled and disarmed a gunman during the Bondi Beach massacre
Millions of Australian dollars have been raised for Ahmed al-Ahmed, now globally recognised as a “true Australian hero” after he bravely tackled one of the two gunmen during the Bondi Beach mass shooting. The Syrian-born fruit shop owner, who was shot twice while disarming the attacker, has received widespread praise and support from both the public and top politicians.
Aussies have rallied behind al-Ahmed after he physically stopped one of the Bondi Beach shooters during the massacre.
The brave 43-year-old was caught on camera fearlessly charging at the armed attacker and wrestling away his weapon, despite being shot twice himself.
The Syrian-born father-of-two, who runs a fruit shop in the area, has since undergone surgery and is recovering in hospital, where he’s been visited by Australia’s Prime Minister and the New South Wales Premier, both calling him a “true hero”. Support has consequently poured in from across the country, with a GoFundMe page for al-Ahmed smashing over A$2 million mark, over £1 million.
The GoFundMe page, created by Car Hub Australia and Zachery Dereniowski read: “After witnessing the extraordinary actions of the hero who helped disarm one of the attackers during the Bondi tragedy, an act that prevented the loss of countless more lives, we felt compelled to act. In a moment of chaos and danger, Ahmed al-Ahmed stepped forward without hesitation.
“His actions were selfless, instinctive, and undeniably heroic, taken without regard for his own safety. Early reports indicate he was shot twice in the process while protecting others.
“This GoFundMe has been created to show our gratitude and support for someone who demonstrated incredible courage when it mattered most. To kick things off and lead by example, we are making an initial donation of $50,000 to honour this absolute hero and help support him through recovery, and the lasting impact of this traumatic event.
“No one expects to be a hero, but when the moment came, he was.” As thousands of donations have poured in, many donators also left heartwarming messages.
“In every terrible tragedy there is often a glimmer of hope and inspiration to all others, and Ahmed was it here, to me anyway,” a GoFundMe donator wrote. He continued: “I’d not have been brave enough to do it, and here he was to a bunch of folks he knew nothing about, prepared to risk his life – and indeed received 5 bullet wounds for his bravery.
“He was ex Military, so probably could see he was a sitting duck, no matter what transpired. He told his cousin he was sheltering with – ‘I’m going to die, please see my family, and tell them that I went down to save people’s lives’, before rushing the gunman.
“Recover fully Ahmed – many are proud of your selfless actions. Glen”
Another supporter penned: “My friend was approx 50 metres away from the crazed gunman, when you approached the killer. He tried to rescue his daughter who was in the open, but, when a person next him tried to get up and was shot, he was left helpless watching.
“I don’t know how long it was or what he was thinking, but he is still here now to tell me his story. Your action saved his life, his daughter and I can’t think how many others you had saved from your actions.
“Yad Vashem grants an honour to non Jews who helped our community to survive during the holocaust- ‘Righteous Among the Nation’. I wish such an honour can be given to you in your selfless act of bravery.
“You are a true Mensch, a hero to our community….” While grateful locals have reportedly left flowers outside his shop, one bouquet simply labelled “the Bondi hero”, the BBC reported.
Al-Ahmed has been shot several times in the shoulder and has further surgery scheduled. Among the 15 victims of Sunday (December 14)’s Bondi Beach terror attack in Sydney are Holocaust survivors, selfless volunteers, respected faith leaders, and brave individuals who risked their lives to confront the gunmen.
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