Tears flow in wake of huge donation
The father of a badly injured car-crash victim and a woman who cares for the terminally ill were reduced to tears by a charity that raised a phenomenal amount of money in memory of a young boy who died in a freak farm accident.
Ten Hinchinbrook mothers formed Team Wheelin’ for Willy to raise money in the name of Will Murdoch during the 140-kilometre Great Wheelbarrow Race from Mareeba to Chillagoe in May this year.
Will’s mum Kelly Murdoch said they were blown away by the local support that saw them raise almost $40,000.
Mrs Murdoch and hus
band Andy have continued to bravely honour Will’s memory since his tragic death at the age of 12 on his Long Pocket farm last year.
She said it was important for the family to keep their son’s memory alive, having so far moved more than 1,500 caps featuring a brand Will had created, WM Bucking Bulls, as well as the creation of a number of shields or trophies in his honour.
The family have established the Will Murdoch Perpetual Shield for U13 rugby league teams from the three Hinchinbrook high schools, a trophy for the Herbert River Crusher’s best U13 player and the Will Murdoch Memorial Bull Ride for 14- to 18-year olds, Australia’s richest junior
event. Mrs Murdoch said Team Wheelin’ for Willy was another way to honour the widely beloved young boy and raise money for worthy charities.
“We wanted to do some good, to raise money in a positive way.”
The beneficiaries were a young man left in a wheel chair following a horror car accident and community organisation Ingham Palliative Care, which provides respite for the terminally ill and their family at Ingham Hospital as well as local rest homes for the elderly.
Ingham Palliative Care vice president Patricia Murphy said she was stunned by the donation of more than $35,000, with the money earmarked for the Palliative Care Garden at Ingham Hospital.
The organisation through community donations fully funds the upkeep and operation of two palliative rooms, “which are never empty”.
“We just think the donation is marvellous, it just makes you cry.”
Colin Barden said son Clancy, 29, had been in hospital in Brisbane since breaking his back in a near-fatal traffic accident in Abergowrie on
January 5 this year.
“These girls have gone out of their way and done a magnificent bloody thing for him.”
Mr Barden, a stockman, became emotional when asked what the $4000 donation would mean toward helping with his son’s ongoing rehabilitation..
“It’s going to help him along in every way … the girls are magnificent, it breaks my heart really.”