Families of four children killed by drug driver to hold memorial

The families of four children killed by a drug driver in Oatlands this year have made a moving decision about how they will honour their memories.

The two families of four children killed by a drug driver have launched a memorial day to honour their children, and the moving decision they made after their deaths.

Siblings Antony, 13, Angelina, 12, and Sienna Abdallah, 8, and their cousin Veronique Sakr, 11, were killed in February this year when an out-of-control ute mounted a footpath in Oatlands in Sydney’s west.

The four children died at the scene, while other relatives with them were taken to hospital.

Just days later, mother Leila Abdallah said she would forgive the man behind the wheel.

“The guy, I know he was drunk, driving on this street. Right now I can’t hate him. I don’t want to see him, I don’t hate him,” she told reporters.

“I think in my heart to forgive him … I’m not going to hate him, because that’s not who we are.”

The Abdallah parents Leila and Danny, as well as Veronique’s mother, Bridgette have now launched the i4give Day to pay tribute to their “little saints in heaven” and to help others who have suffered.

The Abdallah family will be forced to celebrate Christmas without three of their children this year, after a drunk driver swerved onto the footpath while they were walking to get ice cream (pictured is the family in 2017). Picture: Supplied

The i4give Day will be held on January 31, the eve of the crash, and has the support of the NSW Government.

A memorial service will be live streamed to the public.

People across the state will be encouraged to reflect on events and relationships in their own lives and look to the example set by the Abdallah and Sakr families.

The Abdallah parents will find the holiday period extraordinarily tough given Christmas Eve would have been Angelina’s birthday.

“Christmas Eve is a very hard time for us as it is also Angelina’s birthday; even though it is tough, we’ll be celebrating Christmas for the rest of our kids,” Mrs Abdallah said.

“Our four children are now our four saints and this day is for them. Forgiveness is the greatest gift you can give yourself and others. The more you practice the better you become at it and it allows you live peacefully and to heal.”

Driver Samuel William Davidson faced a slew of charges relating to the crash, including driving under the influence of drugs and speeding. In October he pleaded guilty.

Daniel Abdallah said forgiveness was the quickest way for his family to heal.

“We still feel pain and sorrow everyday, but forgiveness has helped to get rid of the anger and bitterness. It’s helped us get through each day and make sure we are there for our other children,” Mr Abdallah said.

Veronique’s mother Bridget Sakr added: “Christmas can be a difficult time for many families. I hope people can reflect on what so tragically happened to our beautiful children to mend bridges with estranged family members and move forward, to love each other in peace and harmony. Life is too precious.”

Minister Mental Health, Bronnie Taylor, praised the Abdallah and Sakr families for their courage.

“The grief experienced can take many forms and there is no set timeline. For some people a psychologist or grief and trauma therapist may be of assistance and the need for this may occur months or years after the event,” Mrs Taylor said.

“This day is about honouring Antony, Angelina, Sienna and Veronique; their families have shown amazing strength through such a terrible tragedy.”

A website i4give.com will also be launched where people will be directed to links dealing with grief and trauma counselling.