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A antheral credited with redeeming lives by wrestling a weapon from 1 of the alleged attackers during a mass shooting astatine Australia’s Bondi Beach received a cheque for much than A$2.5 cardinal ($1.65 million) connected Friday (December 19, 2025), aft tens of thousands of radical contributed to a donation website.
Ahmed al Ahmed hid down parked cars earlier charging astatine 1 of the gunmen from behind, seizing his limb and knocking him to the ground. Mr. Ahmed suffered gunshot wounds aft seemingly being fired connected by a 2nd perpetrator and remains successful infirmary aft undergoing surgery.
The Muslim father-of-two was presented with an oversized cheque astatine his St. George infirmary furniture by Zachery Dereniowski, a societal media influencer and co-organiser of the GoFundMe page, videos posted online showed. More than 43,000 radical worldwide contributed to the fundraising, including billionaire hedge money manager Bill Ackman who gave A$99,999 (₹90,02,874) and shared the fundraiser connected his X account. Australia’s Prime Minister and the State Premier person visited Mr. Ahmed successful infirmary to praise his bravery.
When handed the cheque, Mr. Ahmed asks, “I merit it?” to which Mr. Dereniowski says, “Every penny”, the video shows.
When asked what helium would accidental to the radical who donated, Mr. Ahmed said: “To basal with each other, each quality beings. And hide everything bad... and support going to prevention life.”
“When I saved the people, I [did it] from the bosom due to the fact that it was a bully day, everyone was enjoying and celebrating with their kids; women, men, teenagers, all. Everyone was happy, and they merit to enjoy,” Mr. Ahmed said, raising his uninjured fist successful the air. “This state [is the] champion state successful the world. But we’re not going to basal and support watching. Enough is enough. God support Australia. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie.”
The baccy store proprietor did not accidental what he planned to bash with the money. Mr. Ahmed, 43, near his hometown successful Syria’s northwest state of Idlib astir 20 years agone to question enactment successful Australia.
Fifteen radical were killed, and dozens were wounded connected Sunday (December 14, 2025) aft 2 gunmen opened occurrence astatine radical celebrating Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, astatine the celebrated Bondi Beach. Authorities allege a 50-year-old father, who was changeable dormant by police, and his 24-year-old son, who was critically wounded, carried retired the attack.
