WRENTHAM - Two weeks of furious fundraising for a seriously injured King Philip wrestling star culminated in a benefit dinner Thursday night at the American Legion Hall, where it was announced that more than $20,000 has now been raised to help pay for his medical care.

Donald McNeil, a 15-year-old King Philip wrestling star, suffered a serious spinal injury last month when he landed on his head during an offseason match in Fairfax, Va. After undergoing five hours of surgery, McNeil returned to Boston, where he is slowly recuperating at the city's Spaulding Rehabilitation Center.

The seriousness of McNeil's condition required that he be transported on the 450-mile journey home in an air ambulance, at a cost of $9,500. But his insurance company refused to pay for it - despite the fact that Spaulding was one of only two facilities in the nation that could treat him.

That's where McNeil's friends - and a nationwide support network of fellow wrestlers - have come in.

Nearly half of the money raised so far has come in through MassWrestling.com, a Web site for aficionados of the sport. A large chunk of the money came from outside Norfolk County and places as far away as New Jersey, Florida, Iowa, and Toronto, said the site's administrator, Mike Atlas, who called it a testament to the strong support of the wrestling community. "It was really easy. It didn't take a lot of effort on my part," Atlas said. "That's why I'm trying not to brag about it."

McNeil's family said they were overwhelmed by the outpouring of support.

"It's great how everyone's been reaching out," said his twin brother, Ian, also a wrestler. "It's huge."

Atlas said that part of the reason so many people have contributed to McNeil's recovery fund is the young wrestler's high profile. At the time of his injury, he was ranked first in the state, second in New England and ninth in the country.

A few dozen of McNeil's fellow high school students, including many of his fellow wrestlers, attended Thursday night's dinner. The school has swung into action to raise money for his care, they said, with a variety of drives, including raffles, ticket sales and a car wash to be held at the school Saturday morning.

"It really makes me happy," said McNeil's best friend, Conner David, another King Philip sophomore who was McNeil's co-captain on the wrestling team this past year. "It shows everyone can come together for someone who gets hurt."

Meanwhile, McNeil's father, Andrew, said his son continues to recover in Boston and is gaining strength by the day. He is now walking with a walker, and doctors tell the family they are very pleased with his rapid progress.

And most importantly, Donald is "determined to wrestle again," his father said.