A man praised for his brave actions during a deadly shooting at Bondi Beach has received more than S$2,125,000 in donations from people around the world. The incident happened in Sydney, Australia, and shocked the nation.
On 19 December, Ahmed al Ahmed was handed a large cheque while lying in his hospital bed, days after risking his life to stop one of the attackers.
A sudden act during a violent moment
When gunfire broke out at the crowded beach, many people ran for safety. Ahmed hid behind parked cars for a short moment before making a bold move. He ran toward one of the gunmen from behind, wrestled the weapon away, and forced the attacker to the ground. This action helped stop further harm as people nearby escaped.
During the chaos, Ahmed was shot and seriously injured. He was later taken to St. George Hospital, where doctors performed surgery. He remains in recovery but is said to be stable.
A fundraiser grows beyond expectations
Soon after the attack, a GoFundMe page was created to support Ahmed and his family. The response was overwhelming. More than 43,000 people donated, raising over S$2,125,000 . The cheque was presented by Zachery Dereniowski, a social media influencer who helped organize the fundraising.
The donations came from many countries and backgrounds. Among the donors was billionaire investor Bill Ackman, who contributed nearly S$129,001 and shared the fundraiser online.
A moment inside the hospital
When Ahmed received the cheque, he appeared surprised and emotional. In the video, he quietly asked if he truly deserved the money. He was told that every dollar was earned through his courage. Despite his injuries, Ahmed raised his fist and spoke with strength, thanking the people who stood with him during the difficult time.
From Syria to Australia
Ahmed, 43, is a tobacco store owner and a father of two. He left Syria’s Idlib province nearly 20 years ago to find work and a safer life in Australia. Since the attack, Australia’s prime minister and the state premier have visited him in hospital to personally thank him for his actions.
Some people raised concerns about the large sum of money donated to him.
A nation still in shock
The shooting at Bondi Beach killed 15 people and injured many others during a Hanukkah celebration. Police say the attackers were a father and son, with one killed at the scene and the other badly wounded. As investigations continue, Ahmed’s actions remain a central part of the story, remembered for bravery shown during one of Australia’s darkest moments.
Watch the video here:
@dailymailau The Syrian-born tobacconist owner, Mr Al Ahmed has been widely praised for his heroism, with Australians raising $2.5million in donations, including $100,000 from US billionaire Bill Ackman. In a heartwarming video, the hero was presented with the huge cheque in his hospital bed by Canadian content creator Isaac. The grocer and father-of-two remains at St George Hospital where he has undergone surgery for bullet wounds to his arm and hand. Anthony Albanese visited Mr Ahmed in hospital on Tuesday and later described him as ‘the best of our country’ and an inspiration to all Australians. #bondi #news #australia #sydney #fyp
More from Wake Up Singapore:-
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Cheras Mall Shooting Incident: One of the Victims Was Allegedly Wanted for Murder
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