Aussies raise $500k for Bondi baby
Australians have raised an incredible amount of money for the baby girl who was viciously attacked in Saturday’s Bondi massacre.
The nine-month-old baby is the daughter of Ashlee Good, who was one of six people killed during Joel Cauchi’s rampage, in which he stormed through the Bondi Westfield shopping centre in eastern Sydney, stabbing people with a knife.
The little girl, Harriet, suffered stab wounds and paramedics took her to Sydney Children’s Hospital in a critical condition.
She is now on a ward, NSW Health said, and her condition has been downgraded to serious but stable.
In just three days, a GoFundMe fundraiser has raised over $535,000 for the baby girl — more than five times the initial target of $100,000.
“Our hearts were broken beyond comprehension as we learnt of the tragic loss of our beautiful friend, Ash, in the stabbing attack at Westfield Bondi Junction on Saturday afternoon,” the fundraiser read.
“Ash was a ray of sunshine and positivity in every aspect of her life, and died a hero saving her little girl from the most unspeakable evil.
“We have been overwhelmed by requests from loved ones and strangers wanting to support Dan and Harriet as they face life without their beloved Ash.
“Being a mother to baby Harriet and partner to Dan was Ash’s whole life. Her love and commitment to them was evident to all who knew her.
“We are united in our devastation that her bright future was cut short in this way. Her beautiful and warm spirit, drive and energy inspired us all.
“These funds are being collected for the benefit of Dan and Harriet to give them the freedom to go forward into the future without financial burden or worry.
“Today we are reeling from the terrible loss of Ashlee, a beautiful mother, daughter, sister, partner, friend, all round outstanding human and so much more.
“We appreciate the well-wishes and thoughts of members of the Australian public who have expressed an outpouring of love for Ashlee and our baby girl.
“We can report that after hours of surgery yesterday our baby is currently doing well. We are so grateful for the expert care and attention of the medical team at Sydney Children’s Hospital.
“We would also like to thank the New South Wales Police for their kindness and diligence in this tragedy and emergency services for getting our baby the care she needed as quickly as possible.
“To the two men who held and cared for our baby when Ashlee could not - words cannot express our gratitude.
“We are struggling to come to terms with what has occurred. We would appreciate peace and privacy while we work through this as a family.”
“We know that no amount of money will ever substitute her presence in their lives and thank you for your generous donations to date.”
The six victims of Saturday’s attack have been identified as Yixuan Cheng, Pikria Darchia, Dawn Singleton, Faraz Tahir, Jade Young and Ashlee Good.
Some of Ms Good’s friends and family visited the makeshift memorial at Bondi Junction on Tuesday, which has expanded into a vast display of flowers and messages of support.
Ms Good was shopping with Harriet at Westfield when they were set upon by Cauchi.
The shocking violence has thrown Australia into mourning.
The attack left multiple people in hospitals spread across the city.
As of Tuesday afternoon, two patients remain at St Vincent’s.
“One female patient remains in ICU in a stable condition and one male patient is in a stable condition on a ward,” NSW Health said.
“Two patients are at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. One female is in ICU in a serious but stable condition and one male is in a stable condition on a ward.
“One female patient is at Royal North Shore Hospital in a stable condition on a ward.”
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