Bondi hero is handed $2.5million cheque in his hospital bed – as hero asks unbelievable question
Ahmed Al Ahmed, the hero who neutralized a gunman during the terrorist attacks on Bondi Beach, was given a $2.5 million check at the hospital.
Heartwarming footage has captured the moment the Syrian-born father of two learned the news that 43,000 people around the world had given money to honor his bravery.
‘Do I deserve this?’ This is what 42-year-old Mr. Al-Ahmed responded to when a man handed him the check in the video posted on social media:
‘Every penny,’ he replied.
Asked what he would say to tens of thousands of donors, Mr Al-Ahmed’s message was peace and unity.
‘To stand with all people and forget everything bad behind and continue saving lives. “Save lives,” he said from his hospital bed.
‘When I save people, I do it from my heart.’
Those who watched the video were impressed by Mr. Al-Ahmed’s humility.
Pictured is when Mr Al-Ahmed was presented with a $2.5 million check at the hospital
A father of two was filmed pointing a firearm at an armed elderly man after an argument
‘Fuck… what a man. What a hero. This man deserves a statue,’ one person said on X.
“He deserves every penny, but the heirs of the two Jewish people who tried to stop them and were shot dead also deserve something,” added another.
‘I deserve it. “Absolutely true mate, worth every penny,” said a third.
A mass shooting Sunday night left 15 innocent people dead, including a 10-year-old girl, and dozens more seriously injured.
The horrific incident unfolded as hundreds of people gathered to attend Hanukkah by the Sea, the first day of Jewish celebrations.
From his hospital bed, Mr Ahmed recalled the scene at Bondi Beach moments before alleged gunmen Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, opened fire.
‘It was a beautiful day, everyone was having fun and celebrating with their children, women, men and young people,’ he said.
‘Everyone was happy… they deserve to have fun and that’s their right too.
Mr Al-Ahmed’s GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $2.5 million so far
NSW Premier Chris Minns was photographed at Mr Al-Ahmed’s bedside earlier this week
‘This country is the best country in the world… We will not stand by and watch, that’s enough.
‘God bless Australia. ‘Australian, Australian, Australian.’
A Sutherland tobacconist has been hailed as a national hero after footage emerged of him charging at the elderly gunman and wrestling his firearm.
The intervention came at a significant personal cost; Mr. Al-Ahmed suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his shoulder and arm.
The fundraising campaign launched for Mr Al-Ahmed attracted international attention, including a maximum of $99,999 from US billionaire Bill Ackman.
Mr Al-Ahmed’s fundraiser, launched by CarHub Australia, is one of many fundraisers that have taken place since the terrorist attack.
Total donations to verified GoFundMe campaigns currently stand at approximately $5 million; This includes nearly $800,000 for the family of the youngest victim, ten-year-old Matilda.
More than $650,000 was raised for Sofia, 61, and Boris Gurman, 69, who were similarly hailed as heroes after they were killed trying to quickly end the attack.
Governor General Sam Mostyn gave thanks on behalf of the Australian people and King Charles
Nearly $5 million has been raised to support victims and their families following the Bondi Beach shooting on Sunday night. Mourners were photographed holding a vigil on Monday
Donations to the family of slain Rabbi Eli Schlanger exceeded $360,000, and another $72,000 was donated for Boris Tetteleroyd, who was shot along with his son at the event.
NSW Premier Chris Minns described Mr Al-Ahmed as a ‘real-life hero’ after meeting him in hospital earlier this week.
The Governor-General also visited the ailing hero in hospital on Tuesday and brought with him flowers he had collected from the Admiralty Building.
He thanked him on behalf of the Australian people and King Charles, who he said had asked Mr Al-Ahmed’s name the night before.
‘He would like to thank Ahmed (King Charles) for that moment of absolute heroism for which we were all astonished and grateful,’ Mostyn said.
He added that the 43-year-old would probably receive a bravery award and that he had already been nominated ‘so, so many’.
Sajid Akram was shot dead by the police on the spot. His son Naveed, who was seriously injured, was taken to hospital under police guard.
The 24-year-old man was in a coma for two days before he was shot on dozens of charges, including 15 murders.
More to come.
