Jay Slater's mum issues emotional GoFundMe update as she appeals for more donations for teenager's funeral
Jay Slater's mother has given people a heartfelt update on GoFundMe as she appeals for more donations following the news his body has been found.
Debbie Duncan, who was in Tenerife with the rest of Jay's family to look for him, was left heartbroken when they discovered her son's remains in a ravine on the island.
Spanish authorities found the body on 15 July, 29 days after the 19-year-old went missing after a night of partying at the New Rave Generation Festival in Playa de las America.
Originally from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, Jay was reported missing on 17 June after he travelled to a remote Airbnb in the north of Tenerife the night before, where he posted a Snapchat video at the property called Casa Abuela Tina, near the village of Masca.
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The Brit made his last phone call the next morning to friend Lucy Law, saying he had cut his leg and only had one percent battery on his phone, as he decided to walk back after missing the last bus, a journey of 11 hours.
Injuries found on the body were compatible with a fall, according to a Spanish court spokesperson, who also confirmed through fingerprinting that the body was Jay's.
Three days on, Debbie has posted an update on GoFundMe explaining the next steps for the heartbroken family.
She wrote: "Hello everyone, thank you for all of your kindness, support and condolences in light of the tragic news that Jay’s body has been found. We are overwhelmed with grief and are so grateful for your support.
"The wonderful team from The Netherlands, Signi Zoekhondon, have remained in Spain all week and have continued to support us since Jay was found. They are due to fly home in the coming days and we are so appreciative of their dedication and support.
"We would like to thank LBT Global for their support during this impossible time. We are working with agencies to arrange Jay's repatriation to the UK and the remaining funds, along with any future donations will be used to help with this if needed and to pay for Jay’s funeral costs back home.
"We want to give our boy the send-off he deserves so please do continue to share and support our fundraiser however you can," she concluded.
Just yesterday, Jay's family left heartfelt tributes on a dirt track near the ravine where the teen is thought to have fell to his death.
Bouquets of flowers both white and blue were left on the path, including some emotional messages from Debbie and Jay's dad Warren Slater, as well as his older brother Zak.
Debbie left some flowers and a note that read: "To my beautiful boy, I am so sorry we never found you.
"I miss you so much. You will be forever young and forever missed. Mum xxx".
Jay's older brother wrote: "Love you little bro, never in a million years did I think I would be saying this. I will look after mum and dad, hope you are partying up there with grandad.
"Hope to see you again some day, rest easy bro I love you Zak.”
His father left a note that had the short but sweet message: “To my boy, love dad."
An England teddy bear and a large bottle of water were placed on the dirt track, after the teen last told friend Lucy Law that he 'needed a drink'.
Matthew Searle, CEO at Charity LBT Global, shared with The Independent that the charity is continuing to support Jay's family, and that his mother was 'overwhelmed' with the support.
"There is a personal message from Debbie to say ‘thank you very much’ for the thousands of messages of love and support she has received,"
"She is overwhelmed at the moment but will try to reply to them all in due course," he explained.
At the time of writing, Jay's GoFundMe has raised over £60,500.
Topics: Jay Slater, GoFundMe, UK News
Joshua Nair