Jay Slater missing in Tenerife: Mum issues major GoFundMe update after donations hit £36k

The mum of missing teenager Jay Slater has announced that funds from her son's GoFundMe page, which has amassed over £36,000 in donations, are now being withdrawn.

In a significant update shared with donors today (June 27), Debbie Duncan, who jetted off to Tenerife the day after the 19-year-old from Oswaldtwistle was reported missing, issued a statement. She expressed gratitude for everyone's support and kind wishes and clarified what the money would be used for as the search for her son enters its 11th day.

The statement read: "Hi everyone, this is Debbie again. First, I would like to thank everyone for your support, kind messages, and good wishes.

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"It's hard to comprehend what's happening at the moment, but we're not giving up hope that we'll find Jay and return home together.

The heartbroken mum went on to say that the money raised from the online fundraiser, named "Get Jay Slater home", will be used to assist mountain rescue teams who are "tirelessly searching for Jay".

Debbie added: "We are currently working with GoFundMe to withdraw part of the funds, which are being securely held. I wanted to share that these funds will be used to support the mountain rescue teams who are tirelessly searching for Jay.

The GoFundMe page was set up by Jay's close mate, Lucy Mae Law, with an initial target of £30,000. After nationwide confusion about where the money was going, it was later clarified that funds would be used to cover travel and accommodation expenses for Jay's friends and family, who jetted off to the Spanish island to assist in the search.

Despite its £30,000 goal, the fundraiser currently stands at £36,615 in donations from concerned members of the public.

In her statement, Debbie further explained: "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.

Debbie concluded her update by expressing gratitude for the public's ongoing support.

She stated: "Thank you again for all your donations and support, this means the world to us.

The crowdfunding platform has shut down nearly a dozen other pages as suspected scams, with GoFundMe releasing a statement about what happened, the Mirror reports.

In a statement issued earlier this week, a GoFundMe spokesperson said: "Our hearts go out to Jay Slater, his family and everyone else concerned about his disappearance. All campaigns are under review and no money will be transferred unless we can verify it goes straight to his family. At moments like this, we often see people set up campaigns to benefit strangers when they are moved to help.

"That is why we work with organisers to ensure any money donated goes to the right place. GoFundMe has a dedicated Trust and Safety team reviewing all relevant fundraisers."

In a new statement to the M.E.N, Debbie said the family are still in a 'living nightmare' but that they have 'every faith' in the police and rescue teams continuing to carry out searches. She said: "I have every faith in them down on the ground and the amazing searches they are carrying out along with more amazing guys up there."

"As a family we are in a living nightmare, We have no further updates other than that Jay is still missing. We are just ignoring the social media side of things. Just please pray for Jay."