‘Present in their spirit’: Parents’ moving message at festival dedicated to four kids slain in horror crash

The families of the horror Oatlands crash that killed four children have shared a powerful message three years after their lives changed forever.

The family of four children who were killed in a nightmare crash in western Sydney three years ago have honoured their children in a new event.

Antoni, Angelina and Sienna Abdallah and Veronique Sakr’s lives were taken suddenly in 2020 when a drunk driver veered onto a footpath as the children walked to buy ice cream.

Their mum, Leila Abdallah beamed with pride and said she was “so happy” to see her vision finally come to life after the Covid-19 pandemic delayed her plans for the i4Give festival to take place in Prince Alfred Square in Parramatta.

“This is the park where I used to come all the time with my children,” she said on Saturday.

The Abdallah family kicked off the first annual i4Give festival in Parramatta. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

Leila Abdallah (right, pictured with her husband David) famously forgave the driver who killed her three children and niece just days after their deaths. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

“Although Antony, Angelina, Sienna and Veronique are not present in body, but believe they me are present in their spirit.”

Ms Abdallah shocked Australia when she forgave the driver who killed her three children and niece just days after their shocking deaths.

Hundreds poured into the park as three of the Abdallah children - Liana, Alex and Michael - offered up heartfelt prayers to their lost siblings.

The couple’s youngest child Selina - a mixture of Angelina and Sienna’s names - was passed around between family members during the ceremony.

Prime Minister Albanese and opposition leader Chris Minns were in attendance. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

Premier Dominic Perrottet (left) said he could not imagine the loss the family has gone through. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

Veronique’s father, Bob Sakr was emotional as he said there wasn’t “anything in the world” he wouldn’t offer to give his daughter one last hug.

“When I heard Leila say she forgave [the driver], that wasn’t going through my head,” Mr Sakr said.

“But then I very quickly I realised I was only burdening myself.”

A cake was wheeled out at the end of the ceremony for Mabelle Kassas, the 13-year-old survivor of the crash whose birthday party had brought the families' together that night.

“In the blink of an eye a beautiful moment turned into the worst moment of my life,” she said between tears.

“I will never forget being there and feeling helpless, as much as I tried to help I couldn’t.

“I struggled so much to forgive myself let alone to forgive the driver.”

The i4Give day foundation was set up by the Abdullah family in the wake of their children’s deaths, with its mission statement aiming to “increase community awareness of the power of forgiveness to transform human relationships and to provide resilience toward human flourishing”.

The festival is due to become an annual event filled with amusement rides, live performances, and an outdoor movie showing to cap off the day.

Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his wife Jenny were there in support of the family who they became close with after the tragedy occurred during his term of leadership.

Dressed far more casually than the other politicians in attendance – in blue jeans, sneakers and a baseball cap – he marvelled at the family’s ability to forgive unconditionally the person responsible for their children’s deaths.

Ms Abdullah with her husband at the i4Give festival on Saturday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

“People ask me often, ‘How did they do that?’,” Mr Morrison said.

“I couldn’t imagine that faced with something like that I could have turned up at that site like Leila did and just say immediately, ‘I forgive’.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and opposition leader Chris Minns were also in attendance at the festival.

Mr Albanese paid tribute to the young children whose lives were “cruelly snatched” from the world.

“Their bright, beautiful lives, full of promise and possibility, brought to a sudden and a tragic end,” Mr Albanese told the crowd.

“We remember today all the joy and laughter they brought into the lives of those who knew and loved them. The pride. The delight that comes with a child.

“And we embrace in our hearts those still living with the pain and loss. Theirs is a grief that may soften with time, but it will never truly fade.

“Yet in the midst of this sadness, there is something quite beautiful here today as well – and so powerful.