Danny Abdallah, who lost three children in horror crash, to join Anthony Albanese at the Queen’s state funeral

Danny Abdallah, the father of three of four Sydney children who were killed in a horror crash involving a drunk driver more than two years ago, is among a small group of “everyday” Australians who have been invited to attend Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.

Danny will join Saba Abraham, Dylan Alcott AO, Valmai Dempsey, Dr Trudy Lin, Prof Helen Milroy, Kim Smith APM, Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann AM, Chris Waller and Shanna Whan.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the list of impressive Aussies who, upon request from Buckingham Palace, will travel alongside Australia’s official delegation to the state funeral at Westminster Abbey next Monday.

“The Australians who have been invited, I think, embody an extraordinary contribution to our nation. We have made sure that all eight – six state and two territories – are represented, that there is an appropriate breadth of Australians as part of the delegation,” he said at a press conference on Tuesday

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The nation’s heart bled for Leila and Danny Abdallah when a horror crash involving a drunk driver took the lives of three of their children and their niece.

One year on from the tragedy, the grieving parents shocked Australians everywhere when they publicly forgave the driver who killed Sienna, 8, Angelina, 12, and Antony, 13, alongside cousin Veronique Sakr, 11, in the crash at Oatlands on February 1, 2020.

Prime Minister Anthony  Albanese described Danny Abdallah as someone “who has turned a tragic loss into an extraordinary generous contribution”.

“Thank God it went well, it felt so surreal when I saw her for the first time, she’s beautiful, I felt so happy I cried tears of joy,” proud mum, Leila Adballah told the Daily Telegraph.

“We’ve brought a new life into the world, I can’t believe how blessed we are after everything we’ve lost. She will carry on Sienna, Angelina and Anthony’s memories.

“She’s taught us life hits us with bad things but not to give up – we feel really blessed. She’s our seventh child, a little girl, I’m almost speechless.”

And her name is a sweet tribute to family lost.

“When I found out I was pregnant, I asked Liana to name the new baby and she said we should combine the names of her late sisters, Angelina and Sienna, so we called her Selena,” Leila said.

“Her middle name is Angelina in honor of my eldest daughter.”

Before her birth, Danny revealed that the family was “excited and happy” about welcoming a new family member.

“We’re looking forward to the new addition. We’re having a baby girl. As you’re aware, we lost two girls on the day of the tragedy. “We’re very grateful” he said.

After suffering such a significant loss, the family did consider honouring their lost children by sharing their names with the new baby, but decided against the move for very sweet reasons.

“We spoke about naming our daughter after the kids but it’s not fair on the child to have the identity of the other children,’’ the proud father explained.

“We wanted her to have the best possible start. I don’t feel it’s the right thing to name her after a child, after one of her siblings. The middle name might be Angelina or Sienna.’’

The nation’s heart bled for Leila and Danny Abdallah when a horror crash involving a drunk driver took the lives of three of their children and their niece.

One year on from the tragedy, the grieving parents shocked Australians everywhere when they publicly forgave the driver who killed Sienna, 8, Angelina, 12, and Antony, 13, alongside cousin Veronique Sakr, 11, in the crash at Oatlands on February 1, 2020.

In December 2021, the family announced they were expecting another baby, saying God had blessed them with “gift from above”.

This beautiful new blessing is a welcome addition to the family for the couple’s children, Michael, Liana and Alex who have been “praying” for a sibling.

“My children prayed they could have another brother or sister,” Leila told The Daily Telegraph.

“This is a new life, a new beginning for the kids, it has given them a new purpose in life. And seeing them happy and giving them joy is my purpose in life now.”

Determined that their family not let the unspeakable tragedy impact the happiness of their children, the couple work hard to ensure that their children have as normal a life as possible.

“We don’t want to bring them down. We want them to get married and flourish and have full lives and dream again. That is what this new baby means,” Danny Abdallah said.

On that nightmare day, the children were killed after they were struck by a ute as they walked on a footpath to get ice cream.

“FORGIVENESS gives you freedom and allows you to live your life peacefully,” Leila Abdallah said one year after a crash that took the lives of her beautiful babies.

One the anniversary of the tragic loss, the children’s families launched an annual memorial, i4Give Day “honouring our four little saints in heaven” while urging people to reflect on the importance of relationships in their lives.

“We chose to turn our tragedy into a greater goodness. We chose to carry our cross with dignity. We chose forgiveness and love over hatred…” said Leila.

“Forgiveness is the greatest gift you can give yourself.”

This incredible selfless act saw Leila named as 2021’s Mother Of The Year.