Jay Slater’s mother has said the family are working with GoFundMe to withdraw some of the £36,000 that has been raised since the teenager disappeared.
Debbie Duncan, posting on the “Get Jay Slater Home” page which has been set up on the crowdfunding platform, said the money would be used to “support the mountain rescue teams who are tirelessly searching for Jay“.
She also said the money would be used to help cover accommodation and food expenses while the family are out in Tenerife helping to search for the 19-year-old.
Ms Duncan, who is on the Spanish island with Mr Slater’s father and brother, added that “part of these funds” will also be used to fly out the “loved ones” of the “wonderful people who are by my side” so that “we can support each other during these dark times”.
The fundraiser which was set up to support Mr Slater’s family had raised more than £36,400 by this morning.
Ms Duncan posted her update on the GoFundMe page as the search for her son entered its 11th day.
‘Not losing hope’
She wrote: “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.
“Additionally, since our stay in Tenerife needs to be extended, we will also use the funds to cover accommodation and food expenses.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Sky’s Shingi Mararike reports on the latest in the search for Jay Slater who was last heard from on 17 June.
“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.”
She also thanked those who had sent “kind messages” and donations, adding: “This means the world to us.”
Read more:
Slater’s employer urges people to stop sending them ‘cruel’ emails
‘I know how Jay Slater’s parents must feel’
Specialist dogs brought in to help with search
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Helicopter searches for Jay Slater
Ms Duncan and her son’s friends have been at the centre of conspiracy theories on social media since the teenager disappeared.
The construction company which employs Mr Slater shared a post on Facebook earlier today urging people to stop sending them “cruel” emails and to stop posting theories online.
‘Cruel’ online messages
PH Build Group wrote: “These people are trying to ruin people’s lives and businesses (while) sat behind a screen looking for attention.
“Everyone may have their own theories and feelings but to publicly post them knowing you are going to hurt people is just cruel.
“Jay’s family shouldn’t have to endure this.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Jay Slater’s dad says ‘I just want him back’
Mr Slater, an apprentice bricklayer, had been holidaying with friends in southern Tenerife before travelling to the northwestern mountain village of Masca with two people he met at the NRG music festival on Sunday 16 June.
The teenager, from Oswaldtwistle near Blackburn in Lancashire, told a friend over the phone at 8.30am the following morning that he was walking back to his holiday accommodation after missing a bus – a journey that would take 11 hours on foot.
He also said he was lost, in need of water, and only had 1% charge on his phone.
The last person to see Mr Slater was Masca resident Ofelia Medina Hernandez who spoke to the teenager on Monday 17 June.
Ms Hernandez said she told him a bus was due at 10am as he seemingly hoped to get back to his accommodation.
However, he set off walking – and she said she later drove past him while he was “walking fast”.
