Jay Slater's mum shares three things she spent £72k donations on and says 'truly deserved'

Debbie Duncan
-Credit: (Image: ITV News)


Jay Slater's mum has thanked those who contributed £72,000 to a GoFundMe page for her son after he went missing in Tenerife. Debbie Duncan, 56, revealed she had spent the money on three important things as she issued a message to supporters.

Jay, 19, was tragically found dead after a search lasting 29 days after he went missing on June 17. Debbie closed the fundraising page last Thursday, which wa set up by Jay's friend Lucy Mae who was on holiday with him when she vanished.

In a final message on the page, Debbie thanked "all you beautiful people who supported us throughout this heartbreaking time". She added: "Jay really did touch the hearts of the nation and it truly showed us how much love you all shared with us.

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"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." She continued: "Our journey of trauma and grief will continue forever and we will never recover," she said.

"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."

The grieving mum added: "Our journey is far from over but the burden's 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."

The GoFundMe raised £72,821 in total.