Kurt, 20, had his neck crushed in a tackle while playing for Cabramatta on June 7. He was airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital and hooked to a respirator, unable to breathe unassisted after suffering a snapped C5 vertebrae and multiple spinal fractures. 

The ‘‘Unite For Kurt’’ campaign on crowdfunding page Go Fund Me raised thousands of dollars almost instantly after being started on June 14. Around $24,000 was raised in just 24 hours, and 15 days later, more than $50,000 has been donated by 550 people.

‘‘The Amount of Love & Support Kurt and our family have received will be cherished forever,’’ wrote the Drysdale family on the page.

‘‘There are no words that could describe our gratitude & we would like to thank each and every one of you who have generously donated.’’ Donations of as little as $10, all the way up to several contributions of $1000, have come in. 

Heathcote MP Lee Evans gave $1000 to the fund, Sharon Bird gave $200, and many local businesses and community groups have also dipped into their own pockets to assist. Many messages of support and love have also flowed in online.

Kurt’s mother, Sonya, said his condition had remained stable but he still remains unable to breathe on his own.

‘‘He’s still the same, there’s not much change from the before. He has got more colour, so he’s doing OK,’’ she said.

‘‘We’re just hoping for the best, trying to stay positive and not giving up.’’ 

The page states the final fund-raising goal is $70,000, and that the family ‘‘will be donating any proceedings left over to The Spinal Research Unit.’’

For more information, or to donate, see gofundme.com/wvjk5wc.