Ahmed al Ahmed has received a novelty cheque for more than AUD$2.5 million raised by more than 43,000 worldwide donors, inspired by his extraordinary bravery credited with saving more than 30 people under siege at the Hanukkah event targeted by the Bondi alleged terrorists on Sunday.
Ahmed was presented with the cheque at his St George hospital bed by Zachery Dereniowski, a Canadian social media influencer and co-organiser of the GoFundMe page that attracted donations from American billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, Hollywood comedian Amy Schumer, and Charlton Howard, the given name of Australian musician Kid Laroi.
Ahmed was watching the Big Bash cricket on TV when he was approached by Dereniowski, who hugged the hero bystander before presenting him with the cheque.
@10newsau Bondi hero Ahmed al-Ahmed has been handed a cheque for more than $2.5 million, raised by more than 43,000 donors after the deadly shooting. The cheque was presented by US influencer Zachery Dereniowski on behalf of GoFundMe, with the campaign including a $99,999 donation from American billionaire Bill Ackman. Mr Al Ahmed disarmed gunman Sajid Akram during the attack and was shot twice while trying to protect others. Total donations across verified fundraisers for victims and families of the Bondi attack have now reached almost $5 million.
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When handed the cheque, Ahmed asks “I deserve it?” to which Dereniowski responds, “every penny”.
When asked what message he would have for those across the world lauding him as a hero, Ahmed said it was important to “stand with each other”, raising his fist in the air as he called for unity.
Ahmed says it is their right, this country, best country in the world, but they are not going to stand and keep watching – enough is enough. God protect Australia. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!!
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