Australia’s generosity on show for Bondi attack victims
Australians and people around the world have opened their hearts and wallets to support those killed and injured in the Bondi attack.
More than $5 million has been donated through various fundraisers since two gunmen killed 15 people at Hanukkah celebrations at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday night.
Online platform GoFundMe said more than 70,000 donations had been made to its verified fundraising pages for Bondi victims from people in more than 60 countries.
The NSW Police Association has also lodged an appeal for nearly $750,000 for two officers injured in the attack, including one who may have permanently lost his sight.
More than 25,000 blood donations have been made since Lifeblood’s appeal for help following the attack.
In a record-breaking show of support, nearly 90,000 Lifeblood appointments have been booked across Australia.
“There has been nothing but a tsunami of generosity and kindness coming our way from every corner of the country to help increase supplies and help those in hospitals,” Lifeblood spokeswoman Jemma Falkenmire told AAP.
“What started as a frighteningly large (need for blood) Sunday night has become a full-scale, national operation to accept thousands of generous blood donations.”
While those injured in the attack continue to be discharged from hospitals in Sydney, 15 people continue to receive treatment.
One is in a critical condition and four are listed as critical but stable by NSW Health.
The National Council of Imams of Australia has published a message of unity for all preachers to include in their sermons during Friday prayers.
“Islam calls on believers to be builders of unity and peace, not divisive and destructive,” the council said.
“This is a time for unity not division, compassion not hatred, standing together as one nation.”
Criticizing the Albanian government’s efforts to combat rising anti-Semitism, the Jewish Council of Australia said grief should not be politicized or used as a weapon to sow division.
“This is a week of deep suffering for the Jewish people and the entire nation,” the council said.
“No government policy response should overlook the human cost of this violence.”
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