Over $400,000 has been raised for the baby girl whose mom died trying to protect her during the tragic Sydney stabbings earlier this month.
On April 13, 40-year-old Joel Cauchi entered the Bondi Westfield shopping center at approximately 3:00PM and started attacking people with a knife. The rampage came to an end around half an hour later when a police inspector shot Cauchi after he approached her, branding his weapon.
Six victims lost their lives in the attacks, with police naming the victims as 30-year-old Faraz Tahir, 25-year-old Dawn Singleton, 47-year-old Jade Young, 55-year-old Pikria Darchia, and 38-year-old Ashlee Good.
Good had been at the mall shopping with her nine-month-old daughter, Harriet, when she and her little one were attacked.
With her intentions solely on protecting her baby, the distraught mother ran to a pair of strangers who hid alongside them in a clothing store, creating makeshift bandages with the garments around them in the hopes that it would help slow down the bleeding.
Speaking to Channel Nine, they recounted Good's desperate attempt to save her daughter's life - running up to them and entrusting them with her baby.
"She handed us the baby and said ‘Please help, help’," the witness recalled. "She was bleeding from her head, her face... the baby was bleeding."
Tragically, Good died after being transported to a nearby hospital, but Harriet survived after undergoing surgery at Sydney Children’s Hospital.
In an update that was posted yesterday, it was revealed that the nine-month-old was discharged from hospital after being monitored closely by doctors.
After the tragic ordeal, a GoFundMe page was created in order to raise money for the baby who had just lost her mom.
"Our hearts were broken beyond comprehension as we learned of the tragic loss of our beautiful friend, Ash, in the stabbing attack at Westfield Bondi Junction on Saturday afternoon," read the description of the fundraiser, which was set up by a family friend who worked alongside the late mother.
"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," the description continued. "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.
"We know that no amount of money will ever substitute her presence in their lives and thank you for your generous donations to date."
At the time of writing, the fundraiser has managed to secure almost $450,000, which was amassed thanks to over 12,000 generous donations.
The figure is set to rise as the page continues to be shared.
Our thoughts are with all the victims' loved one during this difficult time.
