Jay Slater's mum's statement in full as she confirms GoFundM is being withdrawn

27 June 2024 , 10:01

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Mum of missing teenager Jay Slater says the £36k in donations is being withdrawn (Image: Facebook)

Missing teenager Jay Slater's mum has confirmed the £36,000 recieved in donations for her son will now be withdrawn.

In a major update shared via her son's GoFundMe page, Debbie said friends and family of the missing 19-year-old are not losing hope and will "return home together" once they have found Jay. The mum also revealed where the £36,000 will be spent once withdrawn.

Debbie's full statement on the GoFundMe page reads: "Hi everyone, this is Debbie again. First, I would like to thank everyone for your support, kind messages, and good wishes. 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.

Jay Slater disappeared in Tenerife on Monday, June 17 (ENTERPRISE NEWS AND PICTURES)

"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.

Brit teen missing on hols after desperate call to pals from 'middle of nowhere'

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

Debbie told reporters she was 'beside herself with worry' and couldn't sleep (ITV News)

The GoFundMe page, titled "Get Jay Slater home" was set up by Jay's close pal, Lucy Mae Law, with an intial target of £30,000. After nationwide confusion about where the money was going, it was later revealed that the cash would be used to cover travel and accommodation expenses for Jay's friends and family, who flew to Tenerife to help in the search.

Despite its £30,000 target, the fundraiser currently sits at £36,315 in donations from concerned members of the public.

Jay remains missing in Tenerife, 10 days after he called his pal Lucy Law and said he was disoriented and needed water, before the call cut off.

Spanish authorities have been unable to find any trace of the 19-year-old since – despite a huge search operation that saw helicopters, drones and sniffer dogs deployed across rural parts of the Island.

Zahra Khaliq