A GoFundMe page has been set up to support the devastated family of Matilda, the 10-year-old girl killed in Sunday’s horrific terror attack on Bondi Beach in Sydney
A 10-year-old girl killed in the Bondi Beach terror attack has been remembered as “bright, joyful and spirted” in heartbreaking posts on social media. Matilda was attending the Hanukka gathering on Bondi Beach when two gunmen opened fire, resulting in the deaths of 16 people while at least 40 more remain in hospital.
Matilda was named by her aunt Lina as one of those killed in the horrific attack, reports the Daily Mail. She said on social media: “Yesterday my beloved niece Matilda was killed during a terrorist attack in Bondi Beach. I don’t know how we survive such grief.”
Irina Goodhew, one of Matilda’s teachers, set up a GoFundMe page to support the girl’s devastated mum, Valentina Poltavchenko.
The page had already raised more than $17,000 by Monday morning. Irina wrote: “I was Matilda’s language teacher, and I knew her as a bright, joyful, and spirited child who brought light to everyone around her. Yesterday, while celebrating Hanukkah, her young life was tragically taken. Her memory will live on in our hearts.
“Matilda’s mother, Valentina Poltavchenko, is the beneficiary of this fundraiser. All donations will be transferred directly to her to support the family during this incredibly difficult time. Donations are made in loving memory of Matilda.”
A Sydney football club also paid tribute to one of its players who was killed in the Bondi Beach shooting. Dan Elkayam, 27, was named by President Emmanuel Macron as being among the dead, reports the Mirror. Elkayam was a member of the Rockdale Ilinden football club’s Premier League One team in southern Sydney.
In a statement on Facebook, the club said: “It is with extreme shock and sadness to discover our Premier League 1 player – Dan Elkayam – was a victim of the horrendous, tragic and senseless events at Bondi Beach on Sunday 14th Dec 2025.
“Dan was an integral member of our PL1 Squad in 2025 – who was an extremely talented and popular figure amongst team mates. Our deepest and sincerest condolances to Dan’s family, friends and all that knew him. He will be missed. May he Rest in Peace – Memory be Eternal.”
A British victim of the Bondi Beach terror attack was named as London-born rabbi Eli Schlanger. He was tragically killed along with 10 others in the horror incident targeting the Jewish community.
The father-of-five, who was assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi, a Jewish cultural centre, grew up in Temple Fortune, north London, and had family members of Kinloss synagogue in Finchley, according to Jewish News.
A father and son duo were allegedly behind a horrific terror assault, it has emerged. Sajid Akram, 50, and Naveed Akram, 24, unleashed gunfire on the Jewish Hanukkah gathering on Sunday, claiming the lives of at least 15 people. Officers gunned down Sajid at the scene, whilst Naveed was taken into custody by New South Wales Police. Police are treating the attack as a terrorist incident.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters .