Pat Cummins leads Aussie sport stars with an urgent call to action after Bondi Beach massacre
Pat Cummins and a host of other big names from the world of sport have called on Aussies to pitch in and help by donating blood in the aftermath of the massacre at Bondi Beach.
The Red Cross has been appealing for donors after 16 people died and 42 more were taken to hospital as a result of the shootings on Sunday.
Lifeblood Australia, which collects blood on behalf of the Red Cross, announced it had transferred blood 'from multiple states to support the need in Sydney'.
The organisation has asked for donors with type O blood - which is most commonly used for transfusions when the recipient's blood type is unknown - to come forward.
Lifeblood has received a badly needed helping hand from Cummins and other big names like swimmers Emma McKeon and Michael Klim.
'Absolutely devastated by the horror last night in Bondi,' Cummins wrote on Instagram on Monday.
Pat Cummins is one of several Aussie sport stars to urge people to donate blood after the atrocity at Bondi Beach
The cricket captain was joined in the drive by Olympic pool queen Emma McKeon
Rugby star Charlotte Caslick also drew attention to the drive for badly needed blood donors
'My heart goes out to the victims, their families, the people of Bondi and our Jewish community during this time.
'If you can, please book an appointment to donate blood.'
Klim and McKeon re-posted Lifeblood's message about seeking type-O donors, with Klim also posting footage of long queues of donors forming in Sydney in response to the call-out.
McKeon wrote, 'Woke up to the news of heartbreak, tragedy and outright evil in Bondi Beach.
'My heart breaks to bits for the victims and families.
'And my heart breaks over the fact that the Australian Jewish community cannot feel safe in their own country.'
On Monday, Oscar Piastri took to Instagram to write: 'Saddened by the tragedy at Bondi Beach.
'Thoughts and prayers with the loved ones of those who lost their lives.
Swimming great Michael Klim also pitched in to help out the Red Cross
Pictured: Pat Cummins' message to Aussies on Monday
Oscar Piastri also took to Instagram to write: 'Thoughts and prayers with the loved ones of those who lost their lives'
Pictured: A long queue of blood donors in Sydney on Monday
'Incredible courage from emergency services and civilians.'
Aussie rugby star Charlotte Caslick re-posted a call for blood donors from MP Allegra Spender, whose federal electorate includes Bondi Beach.
Footy WAGs also promoted the cause.
NRL star Nicho Hynes's fiancee Piper Wallis, Paris Tier - the partner of GWS Giants footballer Conor Stone - and Tayla Montoya, wife of Bulldogs star Marcelo Montoya, all urged Aussies to donate if possible.
NSW Premier Chris Minns also backed the drive to shore up Sydney's blood banks.
'If you are looking for something practical to do, you could give blood,' Minns said on Monday.
The alleged Bondi gunmen took aim at a crowd gathered for a Hanukkah celebration at the beach just before 7pm on Sunday.
Multiple videos on social media show the alleged gunmen standing on a footbridge as they fired shots into a crowd near the northern end of the beach.
As many as 12 of the survivors are in a critical condition in hospital.
Makeshift memorials sprang up on Monday morning in the beachside park where hundreds of people had earlier gathered to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah.
'This was an attack deliberately targeted at the Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah, which of course should be a joyous celebration,' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters on Monday.
