One year since a drink and drug affected driver killed three siblings and their cousin as they walked to get icecream on a hot summer day, their family's focus is forgiveness.
In February last year the Abdallah siblings, Sienna, 8, Angelina, 12, and Antony, 13, and their cousin Veronique Sakr, 11, died on a footpath in Oatlands, in Sydney's northwest.
Last night, on the eve of the anniversary of their death, their family held a memorial service, and today launched i4Give Day to help others through their grief.
READ MORE: Last photo of four children killed in Oatlands crash
https://omny.fm/shows/afternoons-with-deborah-knight/bridget-sakr-mother-of-11-year-old-veronique-who-w/embed?style=cover
"Forgiveness allows us to move forward with our lives and takes away that bitterness and anger and really focuses on us healing," Veronique's mother Bridget Sakr told Deb Knight on 2GB.
She said the family's deep Christian faith has helped them forgive the driver, who "must have had trauma in his life" to get behind the wheel intoxicated.
Mrs Sakr's compassion is also underpinned by her love for her son Michael, Veronique's brother.
This morning Danny Abdullah, father of Sienna, Angelina, and Antony, spoke to Ben Fordham saying he is still in pain, but has let go of his anger.
https://omny.fm/shows/ben-fordham-full-show/fathers-inspirational-message-on-anniversary-of-oa/embed
"I didn't want my kids … to be angry, to feel that they lost their dad through anger, revenge and bitterness.
"Forgiveness is for yourself more than the driver.
"I'm still in pain, I still cry, I still miss my children but my soul isn't imprisoned anymore."
Prime Minister Scott Morrison also acknowledged the day at the beginning of his address to the National Press Club today.
"Can I also acknowledge today the beautiful Abdullah and Sakr families on this first national I4Give Day, as we remember their four beautiful angels, Anthony, Veronique who were taken from us this day last year."
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