Oatlands crash: Five years on Danny and Leila Abdallah host i4give day to remember their children

Five years since their family was irreparably broken, Danny and Leila Abdallah continued to advocate for the power of forgiveness. See the pictures.

The Abdallahs and the Premier of NSW Chris Minns at the Steps for Forgiveness event, The Botanical Gardens, Sydney. Picture: Damian Shaw

It’s been five years since their family was irreparably broken, but yesterday Danny and Leila Abdallah continued to advocate for the power of forgiveness.

The couple, who lost their children Antony, 13, Angelina, 12 and Sienna, eight, along with their niece Veronique Sakr, 11, when they were hit by a drunk and drugged driver.

They children were walking on a footpath in Oatlands to get ice cream.

On Saturday their parents hosted the fifth i4give day to mark their tragic loss.

At the event, emceed by former prime minister Scott Morrison, the couple launched their steps to forgiveness strategy, unveiling a four-step guide with the beginning letter of each step representing the lost children.

“In honour of the four children, each step includes an initial of each child,” Mr Abdallah said.

“(The steps are) acknowledge the hurt and its impact, accept what cannot be changed, surrender the pain to find peace and voice your choice to forgive.”

Leila Abdallah speaks at the Steps for Forgiveness event, The Botanical Gardens, Sydney. Picture: Damian Shaw

Former PM Scott Morrison and the Premier of NSW Chris Minns at the Steps for Forgiveness event, The Botanical Gardens, Sydney. Picture: Damian Shaw

The Steps for Forgiveness event, The Botanical Gardens, Sydney. Picture: Damian Shaw

Testament to the couple’s message yesterday was the presence of Kay and Allan Davidson, the parents of Samuel Davidson, who was sentenced to 20 years in jail for the children’s deaths.

Mr Abdallah said that grief was “a person who comes unannounced and you don’t know when it is going to come and visit.”

Despite the loss, the Abdallah family’s bond remains stronger than ever, with the couple welcoming two more daughters in the years since the tragedy.

The Steps for Forgiveness event, The Botanical Gardens, Sydney. Picture: Damian Shaw

MP Jihad Dib speaks at the Steps for Forgiveness event, The Botanical Gardens, Sydney. Picture: Damian Shaw

Danny Abdallah with his daughter at the Steps for Forgiveness event, The Botanical Gardens, Sydney. Picture: Damian Shaw

Mr Abdallah said forgiveness had kept his marriage and family ties strong.

“We are a minority now because 65 per cent of marriages fail after the death of one child alone and we lost three. It was only through forgiveness that we were able to get through,” he said.

“Our faith has kept us together and so has forgiveness.”

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Originally published as Oatlands crash: Five years on Danny and Leila Abdallah host i4give day to remember their children