'We forever remember your smile': Heartbreaking footage of youngest Bondi victim

Published 16 hours ago
Source: 9news.com.au
'We forever remember your smile': Heartbreaking footage of youngest Bondi victim

The youngest victim of the Bondi Beach shooting has been captured in a video smiling and enjoying an evening celebrating Hanukkah with her family.

Matilda, 10, had her face painted, petted some farm animals and blissfully cuddled her younger sister Summer, six, while playing on the grass at Archer Park in Bondi.

Shortly after this footage was taken, Matilda was fatally shot in front of her sister.

READ MORE: Alexandra saw something 'extraordinary' during the Bondi shooting

Matilda has been named as the youngest victim of the Bondi shooting

READ MORE: Timeline of terror: How the Bondi Beach terror attack unfolded

She was taken to Sydney Children's Hospital after being wounded in the shooting but tragically could not be saved.

Matilda's family shared a heartbreaking final video of their beloved daughter and niece, who they say will be forever remembered by her smile.

Her aunt, Lina Chernykh, said the heartbroken family would never recover from their loss.

"A happy kid," she told 9News.

"She was open-hearted. Everywhere she goes, she was like a sun."

Matilda has been named as the youngest victim of the Bondi shooting

Matilda has been remembered as a "bright, joyful, and spirited child who brought light to everyone around her", according to her language teacher Irina Goodhew.

"Yesterday, while celebrating Hanukkah, her young life was tragically taken. Her memory will live on in our hearts," she wrote on the fundraising site.

The family gave Nine permission to share Matilda's image and the footage.

Matilda is the youngest victim of the terrorist attack which has left 15 innocent people dead.

There are also 24 people in several hospitals around Sydney in conditions ranging from stable to critical, according to NSW Health's latest update at 12.30pm today.

READ MORE: How current Australian gun laws covering rifles and shotguns work

If you have been impacted by the terror attack in Bondi there is support available.

To contact Lifeline Australia, call 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14.

For people under 25 years old, you can contact Kids Helpline at 1800 55 1800.

Both of these are available on a 24/7 basis.

If you wish to donate blood, you can find your nearest donor centre here.

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