Public support floods in for injured Sandringam teen Will Murray

THE family of a teen left a quadriplegic after jumping off a Port Phillip pier last month have been “delighted and overwhelmed” by a surge of public support.

Will Murray, 14, is now quadriplegic after an diving accident off black rock beach 3 weeks ago. His Facebook page will Murray updates has around 9000 likes and videos of support from elite sportsmen. Will with his family, parents Emma & Nick, and siblings Tessa, 16, Meg, 8, Gus, 5 , at Royal Childrens Hospital, Picture Yuri Kouzmin

THE family of Will Murray have been “delighted and overwhelmed” by a surge of public support and love for their injured son, left a quadriplegic after jumping off a Port Phillip pier last month.

Leader Community News has launched the Will Power campaign to help his Sandringham family through the harrowing time ahead, and support and celebrate the extraordinary community movement behind them.

In weeks ahead, we will publicise fundraisers and keep readers informed of Will’s progress.

Will Murray before his accident. Picture: Facebook

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At least three events are now being planned, to kickstart the process of raising Will’s staggering rehabilitation and care costs.

‘HE’LL BE OK AND HE’LL CHANGE LIVES’

Since news broke last week of the costs needed for the 14-year-old’s lifelong care and rehabilitation, family spokesman Max Verberne said the family had been hugely buoyed.

“So many people are making contact saying ‘What can I do’,” Mr Verberne said.

The star athlete badly injured his spinal cord in the January 17 accident at Half Moon Bay.

He is recovering in the Royal Children’s Hospital from surgery to remove his C5 vertebrae, with only limited feeling in his fingers.

It’s estimated a staggering $300,000 a year will be needed to pay for round-the-clock home care – Will has three young siblings – extensive house modifications, a custom-made car and the top-level rehabilitation needed to maximise Will’s recovery.

Will isn’t eligible for TAC payments as he didn’t suffer a traffic-related injury.

Mother Emma Murray said the family were desperate to get Will into cutting-edge therapy that focused on getting function below the injury site.

“Where there’s sensation there’s still hope for movement,” Mrs Murray said.

But such rehabilitation takes three to five hours a day, and costs $115 an hour, Mrs Murray said.

Supporters have established a trust fund, and the Facebook page Will Murray Updates has attracted more than 11,000 likes, more than 1000 in the past week alone.

Will Murray was a talented sportsman.

A family-focused Move for Will fundraiser, where participants can walk, run or swim a course, will be held at Sandringham’s Trevor Barker Oval on April 3.

And on what would have been the first day of Will’s footy season, an Orange Sock Day will be held on the weekend of April 17-18, where players of all ages in Will’s football league will be encouraged to wear orange socks.

Sporting greats including Lenny Hayes, Dane Swan and Andrew Bogut and US Super Bowl players have all posted videos and messages of support on the Will Murray Updates Facebook page.

A donation website, at wheretheresawill.com.au, is now open, plus a second Facebook page for in-kind aid called Help Us Help the Murrays.

Mrs Murray said the community support the family had got so far “was literally keeping me standing”.

“My greatest fear in Emergency that night was that this kid, so loved, social and part of the community, was going to lose that. I’ve been so humbled. Thank you,” she said.

She said she and Nick, while shattered, were determined to help Will find hope and reach his potential in the years ahead.

Mr Verberne, who is co-ordinating the major fundraising movement, said he and many others were determined to make life easier for the Murrays.

“This sort of injury is very expensive. It’s a big, long road ahead and they will need huge financial support,” Mr Verberne said.

The level of support from Bayside, the sporting community and further afield had been huge.

“Will’s one of our own. It’s tragic and it can happen to anybody,” Mr Verbene said.

“We need families to rally around Will, Emma, Tess, Gus and Nick. We don’t want to focus on the tragedy – now it’s all about going forward.”