Ahmed al-Ahmed: Bondi shooting hero reveals he may never recover use of his hand as he hits out at haters

Bondi shooting hero Ahmed al-Ahmed has revealed he may never recover the use of his hand in an emotional statement in which he also hit out at his haters.

Still recovering from five gunshot wounds sustained after he put his life on the line to tackle one of two gunmen who unleashed a massacre which saw 15 people shot dead at Bondi Beach on December 14, Mr Ahmed says he is feeling “deep sadness and pain” over negativity directed at him in the wake of the attack.

His actions on the day of the Bondi terror attack sparked global headlines and an outpouring of support from around the world.

More than $2.6 million has been raised in a GoFundMe campaign set up to support Mr Ahmed to “show our gratitude and support for someone who demonstrated incredible courage when it mattered most”. Among the donations was one for $100,000 by US billionaire Bill Ackman.

Mr Ahmed was among a number of people handed the Keys to the City by the Waverly Council last week and has met leaders from around the world eager to congratulate him on his courage and quick-thinking.

But amid the recognition has been negativity, he says.

“They forget that I was shot five times, and two bullets are still in my body. I live with that pain day and night,” a statement posted on social media reads.

“What is even harder is that I still cannot move my hand or fingers. Doctors have told me that I may lose movement in my hand forever. So what money or honour can ever equal this loss?

“Is there anyone among these negative people who would be willing to give up their hand for money and give me my hand back the way it was?”

“I do not regret what I did because I acted out of humanity and the values I was raised with. But it hurts me to see some weak-minded people turn this into a business deal instead of understanding the sacrifice.

In the comment section Mr Ahmed continued, “For me, I don’t care about what I lost if innocent people were saved. If the price of saving lives was losing my hand, then I see my loss as a victory, not a defeat.”

Mr Ahmed’s heart wrenching post was met with a flood of support with people saying he deserved the money raised and “many more blessings”.

One commenter wrote, “It just goes to show that you can literally save the lives of countless people in an act of heroic bravery and people will still talk smack. You’re too good for this world.”

Another added. “You’re a hero brother ❤️❤️❤️ Some people are just too sick and sad, so they become angry.”