Jay Slater: GoFundMe reaches nearly £50k as 'devastated' family vows to continue search
A fundraising page launched to help find missing teenager Jay Slater in Tenerife has topped more than £45,000 as his "heartbroken" family vows to continue to search for him.
Despite the devastating news that the official search for the 19-year-old has been scaled back, the money from well-wishers continues to arrive. Many of the 3,900 gift-givers are worried parents who say they have children of similar age and are "worried sick" and are sending thoughts and prayers to the teen's mum Debbie Duncan.
Jay from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, has been missing on the holiday island of Tenerife since Monday, June 17. The bricklayer was last seen by the owner of an Airbnb and it is thought he had missed the bus to reach friends in the south of the island, an area popular with British tourists after attending a music festival. Spanish police announced yesterday they would officially be ending their search after finding no trace of him.
Debbie Duncan with son Jay
Those still piling into the Get Jay Slater home Go Fund Me page are donating after an update from Mrs Duncan last week. It read: "First, I would like to thank everyone for your support, kind messages, and good wishes. It's difficult to wrap our heads around what is happening right now, but we are not losing hope that we will find Jay and return home together.
"We are currently working with GoFundMe to withdraw part of the funds, which are being safely held. I wanted to share that these funds will be used to support the mountain rescue teams who are tirelessly searching for Jay.
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"Additionally, since our stay in Tenerife needs to be extended, we will also use the funds to cover accommodation and food expenses. I'm surrounded by wonderful people who are by my side, but far from their loved ones, so we'll also be using part of these funds to fly them to Tenerife so we can support each other during these dark times."
One of those who decided to send cash is Tanya Murphy, she said: "I hope and pray you find your handsome boy soon. I have a daughter similar age and I just can’t stop thinking about you all."
Police and volunteer search and rescue specialists in the hunt for missing teen Jay Slater
Carol Bon added: "As a mum of a boy the same age I can only imagine what pain you’re going through. I just want to send love to Jays mum. I hope you find your beautiful boy soon."
Claire Burnett wrote: "I pray for Jay's safe return, as I mother myself I can’t imagine the anguish. I can’t stop thinking about him, I’ve said prayers for Jay, and I think about him a lot. Debbie, thinking of you from one mother to another."
Meanwhile, Sandra Copeland said: "I am praying you will get your young son back soon I can’t imagine what you are all dealing with as a mother myself it will be a very worrying situation and praying for you to get jay back."