“After witnessing the extraordinary actions of the hero who helped disarm one of the attackers during the Bondi tragedy, an act that prevented the loss of countless more lives, we felt compelled to act,” the description on the fundraising site read.
“In a moment of chaos and danger, Ahmed Al-Ahmed stepped forward without hesitation. His actions were selfless, instinctive, and undeniably heroic, taken without regard for his own safety. Early reports indicate he was shot twice in the process while protecting others. This GoFundMe has been created to show our gratitude and support for someone who demonstrated incredible courage when it mattered most.”
Bondi beach hero Ahmed Al-Ahmed asks emotional question when given $2.5 million
“No one expects to be a hero, but when the moment came, he was. Any contribution, big or small, is a powerful way to say thank you.”
It didn’t take long before donations started dropping in. On Thursday, Zachery Dereniowski surprised Ahmed at the hospital by delivering a $2.5 million check. The hero was, of course, shocked. But in a video uploaded on Dereniowski’s TikTok page, Ahmed began by asking a question no one could ever have imagined.
“I deserve it?”
Zachery replied that he deserved “every penny” and asked Ahmed whether he wanted to say anything to the donors.
“To stand with each other, all human beings and forget everything bad behind the back [in the past] and keep going to save lives,” the hero said.
“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 of this, everyone was happy and they deserve to enjoy and it’s their right. This country, best country in the world, the best country in the world but we’re not going to stand and keep watching, enough is enough.”
Ahmed Al-Ahmed concluded, “God protect Australia. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie.”
Social media moved by Ahmed’s words
Reactions on social media were swift. Users shared that the hero’s words moved them, and many praised him further.
