Missing Jay Slater’s mum has given an update on the family’s GoFundMe page which has raised more than £30,000 as the search for the 19-year-old continues.
Debbie Duncan travelled to Tenerife along with other family members as the hunt continues for her son Jay, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, who has not been heard from since last Monday morning. And a fundraiser set up Jay’s friend Lucy Law who was on holiday with him has now reached its target just days after it was set up.
Jay’s mum, who has vowed to ‘never give up’ on her son, has been added as a beneficiary on the fundraiser and issued a public update, explaining that no money had been withdrawn while friends and family had so far funded the trip to Tenerife themselves.
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Instagram)
She stated: “Hi everyone, this is Debbie, Jay’s mother. Thank you all for your generosity and kindness during this difficult time. I wanted to confirm that this is the only GoFundMe fundraiser approved by our family. We have not yet withdrawn any funds and are currently covering the expenses, such as the trip to Tenerife and accommodation, ourselves.
“The funds will remain on hold with GoFundMe until we post a further update on this page. We are extremely worried and are doing everything we can to find Jay. Please continue to share our fundraiser far and wide. Your support means the world to us, and we are grateful for any help you can provide. Thank you again.”
Jay stayed at a remote Airbnb in Masca, a village in the north west of the island which is nestled in vast mountainous terrain having gone there with two men after an NRG music event. He was last seen by the owner of the Airbnb who saw him walk away after asking what time the next bus left for the south of Tenerife where he was based with friends.
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ITV News)
Now on the eighth day of the search in the Rural de Teno park, involving mountain rescue teams, local police, the Civil Guard and fire crews there are no clear clues over what has happened. Jay’s loved ones believe there may have been a ‘possible sighting’ of him in the village of Santiago del Teide – which is around four miles from Masca.
Nearly a dozen other GoFundMe pages have had to be shut down as suspected scams. The crowdfunding platform said it had removed a number of fundraisers, stating that efforts were ongoing to verify the identity of the organisers and confirm donations would go to Jay’s family.
A GoFundMe spokesperson said: “We are in touch with Jay Slater’s mother, Debbie, and working with her to keep everyone updated on how their donations will be used in the search. For now, the money is with GoFundMe as we work through the next steps.”
