To grant children’s wishes, Grafton’s Murphy is tackling the Boston Marathon — on crutches

Bill Murphy thought he knew what to expect for his second Boston Marathon — a pack of runners, cheering crowds, 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Boston.

Not on the list: crutches and a lone run the track at Worcester State University.

The Grafton resident was injured and required surgery over the summer, but he was determined to participate in the 125th running of the Boston Marathon, which was postponed from its traditional Patriots Day date due to COVID-19. 

It wasn’t just the pride in accomplishment, Murphy is running as a member of Team Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island, raising more than $15,000 to grant wishes for children with critical illnesses.

“The power of a wish gives strength, joy, and hope and also creates memories for the wish child and their families that will last forever,” Murphy said.

With approval from his physicians, Murphy will be completing 104 laps on WSU’s soft surface track on Sunday, beginning his journey at 4 a.m.  A graduate of WSU, he is looking forward to this unique return to campus.

Inspired by his cousin’s wish experience, Murphy has raised more than $350,000 over the past 15 years to support the Make-A-Wish mission through client appreciation events with the Worcester Sharks, participation in fundraising runs and a 30-mile fundraising hike, and making a monthly donation in honor of his loan clients. 

Murphy is a branch manager at Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation in Auburn and in addition to being an active runner, also practices martial arts.

This is his second time on Team Make-A-Wish for the Boston Marathon through an entry provided by John Hancock. Each year, John Hancock donates guaranteed entries to select nonprofits, which use these entries to recruit individual runners to raise money for their cause.  Last year, John Hancock-sponsored runners raised more than $10.7 million for over 140 organizations. 

Donations to Murphy’s fundraising can be made at www.massri.wish.org/marathon. Updates on his efforts are available on his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/make.a.wish.running.for.wishes.

The public is invited to cheer Murphy on during his laps at the Worcester State University track/football field on Sunday, October 10, any time after 4 a.m. To cheer him in his final laps, a noon arrival is suggested.

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