Ahmed al Ahmed has received a novelty cheque for the more than $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. 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.
“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,” Ahmed said.
“It’s their right, this country, 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.”
Ahmed al Ahmed has been hospitalised with gunshot wounds after he heroically ambushed one of the assailants.
Footage of Ahmed ambushing and wrestling a long-arm rifle off Sajid Akram, the 50-year-old terrorist killed by police in Bondi on Sunday, went viral, and has thrust the Sutherland Shire store owner into overnight hero status.
He has received hospital visits from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns, while his parents and extended family have remained by his side. He has undergone several surgeries to treat gunshot wounds suffered in the terror attack, and faces a long road to recovery.
Flowers and tributes have been left outside Ahmed al Ahmed’s Sutherland Shire business.
More than a dozen flower bouquets have been left outside Ahmed’s shop, which has been closed throughout the week.
A message addressed on behalf of Sutherland residents and stuck to the roller shutters reads: “Thank you Mr Ahmed. We are so very proud of you”
Another message scrawled in pink crayon on the nearby pavement read: “Thank you. We all [love] you xxx.”
A collection of colourful drawings include a golden outline of a trophy, labelling Ahmed the “world’s best hero”.
Included on the piece of paper was “no more guns for everyone”, and “thank you for being our hero, we are proud of you”.
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
