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Jay GoFundMe goes £10k over target after mum revealed plan to withdraw cash

28 June 2024 , 07:30
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Rescue crews fear Jay may not be found alive if he disappeared in the mountainous terrain
Rescue crews fear Jay may not be found alive if he disappeared in the mountainous terrain

A GOFUNDME page set up to raise money for missing Jay Slater's family has today hit £40,000.

It comes after the teen's mum Debbie Duncan revealed she would be withdrawing some of the donations to fly supporters out to Tenerife.

Jay Slater vanished 12 days ago in Tenerife eiqrtithirhprw
Jay Slater vanished 12 days ago in Tenerife
Crews have been using sniffer dogs to search for Jay
Crews have been using sniffer dogs to search for JayCredit: Ian Whittaker
Much of the search has focussed on the Masca ravine
Much of the search has focussed on the Masca ravineCredit: Reuters

Distraught Debbie, 55, said cash would also be used to help search teams scouring the island's north for her son, who has been missing for 12 days.

The family will use some of the money to cover their accommodation and food while in Tenerife as well.

Some 3,600 well-wishers have donated to the page, so far raising £40,065 - more than £10,000 over its target.

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Debbie wrote on the page yesterday: "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.

"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."

The page was set up by Jay's friend Lucy Mae - the last person he spoke to on the phone before he vanished.

It surpassed its of £30,000 within days.

Debbie was previously forced to defend the fundraiser after online trolls questioned what the donations would be used for.

The mum said: "I am really am saddened by all your comments. You seem to be so bothered about this GoFundMe page.

"I really hope I am not taking my son home in a body bag.

"I really cannot believe the British public are not supporting me in trying to find Jay.

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"This may happen to any of you one day. Very let down by you all."


It comes as...

  • Search for Jay hones in on series of caves
  • Crews fear he won't be found alive if he vanished in mountains
  • Tenerife worst place to go missing, expert warned before Jay went missing
  • Ex-top cop who tracked down Raoul Moat reveals search theory
  • Jay was attacked by gang when he was just 12
  • New pics of Jay emerge at a pool party two days before he vanished
  • Cops quiz locals who 'saw Jay watching Euros'
  • Investigator reveals descriptions of two men who partied with teen
  • Crews scour exact spot where mystery 'grainy figure' was seen

It comes as the search for Jay has honed in a series of barren caves further along the desolate Rural de Teno park.

Rescue crews had been scouring a 2,000ft ravine in the mountainous terrain.

They have now shifted their focus to caves near Los Carrizales - around an hour and a half on foot from the Airbnb Jay went to with two men.

Los Carrizales is a small hamlet not far from Masca in the Teno mountains.

But police sources have warned that it is "very unlikely Jay has survived if he got lost in the mountains".

Yet authorities have said there are no plans to put a stop to the search yet, despite no signs of the 19-year-old.

Jay, from Lancashire, has been missing since last Monday, and Debbie said her family are in a "living nightmare" as search teams fail to find any trace of him.

After going to a rave that finished in the early hours of June 17, Jay headed to Masca with two British men he had met that night.

He shared a final Snapchat from their Airbnb of a hand holding a cigarette at 7.30am.

Jay then tried to make his way back to his holiday accommodation - an 11-hour walk away.

But at around 8.50am he made a final frantic call to friend Lucy, telling her he was lost in the "middle of nowhere" with no water and had just one per cent battery on his phone.

Jay's family are now claimed to have turned to a TikTok sleuth for help.

Jay pictured with mum Debbie Duncan
Jay pictured with mum Debbie DuncanCredit: Ian Whittaker
Paul Arnott filming himself hunting for Jay for TikTok
Paul Arnott filming himself hunting for Jay for TikTokCredit: TikTok/ @downtherapids
He showed his followers the mountainous terrain he is going over
He showed his followers the mountainous terrain he is going overCredit: TikTok/ @downtherapids

Paul Arnott, a self-described TikTok "explorer", is among influencers who have jetted out to the island to join the search.

The 29-year-old runs an account on the video-based social media app called Down the Rapids.

Paul told The Telegraph: "I’m meeting the family today.

"They said they wanted to meet me. They said they’re really proud of what I’m doing.

I’ve been speaking with Brad’s mum, Rachel. They wanted to bring me food but I said no."

Debbie told the outlet: “[I] can’t thank Paul Arnott enough, also Callum Rahim [another TikTok creator] and his friends for working alongside with the search and rescue teams."

Paul paid £400 for a flight from Fort William in Scotland to Tenerife.

He has posted 66 videos since flying out to the island, with hundreds of thousands of views.

But former cop Charlie Hedges told The Sun about the risks of online sleuths and amateur detectives trying to crack the case.

He urged the public not to take it upon themselves to help the search as he noted despite their best intentions they may end up causing more trouble.

Missing person posters have been put up in Tenerife
Missing person posters have been put up in TenerifeCredit: Ian Whittaker
Jay seen with pal Lucy at a rave the night before he vanished
Jay seen with pal Lucy at a rave the night before he vanished

Katie Davis

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