Bondi Hero, Ahmed Al Ahmed, Receives $2.5m Cheque In Hospital
Image: Zachery Dereniowski/Instagram
On Friday, Bondi hero and tobacco-shop owner Ahmed al Ahmed, who disarmed one of the shooters during Sunday’s terror attack, was handed a $2.5 million cheque raised by worldwide admirers of his courageous actions.
Posted in a video on Instagram by Canadian influencer and co-organiser of the GoFundMe page Zachery Dereniowski, the influencer is seen handing over the million dollar cheque, and as he did so, Ahmed asked “I deserve it?” to which Dereniowski immediately responded, “every penny”.
When asked what the one thing he would say to the donors of the GoFundMe would be, Ahmed said “to stand with each other, all human beings”, as he raised his fist in the air and added “keep going to save lives”.
Ahmed’s selfless actions of tackling and disarming the 50-year-old Akram are reported to have saved the lives of an estimated 30 people.
“When I do save the people, I do it from the heart, because it was a nice day, everyone enjoying celebrating, with their kids, woman, man, teenager all this, everyone was happy and they deserve, they deserve to enjoy,” said Ahmed in the shared video.
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“Best country in the world, best country in the world, but we’re not going to stand and keep watching – enough is enough. God protect Australia. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie,” he said.
“A true Australian hero”
The GoFundMe received donations from more than 43,000 people from across the world, including celebrities like Sydney born The Kid Laroi and comedian Amy Schumer. U.S. billionaire Bill Ackman was the biggest donor and gave $99,000.
It was the incredible footage of Ahmed ambushing the 50-year-old gunman, Sajid Akram, and later tackling and disarming him, that went viral on global social media, causing many millions to hail his selfless actions.
A petition to make Ahmed Australian of The Year has also been made, which as of Friday has over 10.000 signatures.
Dozens have placed flowers and well-wish letters in front of his tobacco-shop in Sutherland Shire, including drawings by kids calling him their hero.
After visiting Ahmed between surgeries at the hospital earlier this week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described Ahmed as “the best of our country” and also called him a “true Australian hero”.
“He decided to take action and his bravery is an inspiration for all Australians. He is a very humble man,” Albanese said.
During the shooting, Ahmed suffered multiple gunshots in his shoulder, and has already undergone several surgeries. He is expected to undergo further surgery in the coming days.
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