Bondi Beach hero Ahmed al-Ahmed receives $2.5 million

Australia’s Syrian-born “hero” Ahmed al-Ahmed, who tackled and disarmed one of the Bondi Beach attackers, was presented with a $2.5 million cheque raised to support him for his bravery.

The cheque was given to al-Ahmed by Zachery Dereniowski, a public figure on Instagram, who documented their meeting in a video shared on the platform.

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According to Dereniowski, the money was collectively raised by 43,000 people from around the world.

In the video, al-Ahmed is seen laying on a hospital bed with a medical cast on his left hand. He was shot several times in the shoulder during the incident.

“I deserve it?” the 43-year-old asked, when he was presented with the cheque.

“When I save the people, I do it from the heart,” al-Ahmed said, recounting the attack which happened during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration.

Two men opened fire at Bondi Beach, killing 15 people and wounding at least 42, in what was one of Australia's deadliest mass shooting.

He said everyone gathered at Bondi Beach that day deserved to enjoy themselves and that it was their right.

“God protect Australia, ‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussie,’” he said with a smile.

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