Jay Slater’s mum has expressed her heartfelt gratitude on a GoFundMe page for the family after a staggering £72,000 was raised. Debbie Duncan posted an update on the fundraising platform last week as the donation option was disabled.
She disclosed how the funds were used and extended her thanks to everyone for their support and contributions following the passing of her ‘beautiful boy’. Jay, a budding bricklayer from Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire, disappeared while on a festival holiday in Tenerife on June 17.
His absence triggered an extensive search on the Spanish island, attracting global media attention. Tragically, on July 15, the 19 year old’s body was found near the village of Masca, close to where he was last seen.
A post-mortem examination concluded that the young man had suffered traumatic head injuries, indicative of a fall from a significant height. The fundraiser for Jay’s family was initially set up by his friend Lucy on June 20.
Following the discovery of Jay’s body, his mother Debbie urged the public to contribute towards the funeral expenses and the cost of bringing his body home. She shared: “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.”, reports the Manchester Evening News.
The grieving mother stated: “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.”
Last week, new contributions to the fundraiser were halted as the total reached £72,821. Debbie expressed her gratitude to the ‘beautiful people’ who had donated during this ‘heartbreaking time’.
She also disclosed what the funds were used for, including supporting the family’s stay in Tenerife during the search, funding a Netherlands-based search team, and covering Jay’s funeral expenses. In her final update on the fundraiser, she said: “We would like to thank all you beautiful people who supported us throughout this heartbreaking time.”
“Jay really did touch the hearts of the nation and it truly showed us how much love you all shared with us. With your support we were able to stay in Tenerife until we got our beautiful boy back to the UK.”
“We were able to fund the Signi search team from the Netherlands who supported us throughout the days when Jay was found. Jay truly deserved the send off we were able to give him and we thank you all for that.”
“We have been overwhelmed with messages of support from all over the globe and will be eternally grateful to all of you. Our journey of trauma and grief will continue forever and we will never recover.
“We lost our beautiful boy in extremely tragic circumstances whilst the world watched. We do not and will never understand how Jay’s story reached every corner of the globe.
“Our journey is far from over but the burdens eased with your support. We would also like to thank the person who looked after Jay’s fundraiser page whom we have been in constant contact with, especially whilst in Tenerife, the support and advice you gave will not be forgotten.
“Donations will be turned off with this final message. Jay’s family and friends are trying to come to terms and process this tragic loss and thank you from the bottom of our hearts. This comment from a beautiful donor sticks in our minds so I will share….
“WE OUTNUMBER THE TROLLS SIGNIFICANTLY. WHEN LOVE VERSUS HATRED, LOVE TRIUMPHS… ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE GOD BLESS YOU ALL. Jay’s loving family and friends xxx”.
Jay went missing after attending the NRG music festival in Tenerife with his two friends. When he was last accounted for, his location was the rugged Rural de Teno Park in the north of the island – an estimated 11-hour march from where he was staying.
He had made his way to an Airbnb in Masca following a night out; however, two individuals reportedly connected to the rented residence were subsequently dismissed from inquiries into the incident. The Spanish Civil Guard suggested that the teen might have succumbed to a fall within the challenging and remote terrain where he was eventually located.
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