Jay Slater's GoFundMe page hits £70k after teen's mum appeals for funeral donations
20 July 2024, 16:55 | Updated: 20 July 2024, 17:07
Jay Slater's GoFundMe page has hit £70,000 after his mum made an appeal for donations to pay for her son's funeral to give him the "send-off he deserves".
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Debbie Duncan made the appeal in a comment on an existing GoFundMe fundraiser which started last month following his disappearance.
The fundraiser has now received more than 5,600 donations and raised just over £70,000 - an additional £40,000 to the initial target of £30,000.
The page was set up by Jay's friend Lucy Law to raise money to help fly people out to Tenerife to join the search for the missing teen.
The 19-year-old vanished on 17 June after setting off back to his accommodation from the NRG music festival which he had attended with two friends.
The Spanish Civil Guard located a body - confirmed as him - close to where he disappeared on Tuesday.
Authorities confirmed that the injuries present on the body were consistent with falling from a cliff.
The teenager's family flew out to help with the search for him and are now making plans for his repatriation and funeral.
The head of British overseas missing persons charity LBT Global, Matt Searle, has been supporting them since the disappearance.
He said on Tuesday that they were expected to travel back to the UK on the same plane as his body.
Read more: GoFundMe gives update on ‘next steps’ for £58,000 Jay Slater fundraiser as teen's body found
Ms Duncan said in an earlier statement that she was devastated by the news that her son's body had been found.
She said: "I just can't believe this could happen to my beautiful boy.
"Our hearts are broken."
Fingerprints were used to identify the remains, a court official confirmed on Tuesday.
The full update from Debbie Duncan reads: "Hello everyone, thank you for all of your kindness, support and condolences in light of the tragic news that Jay’s body has been found. We are overwhelmed with grief and are so grateful for your support.
"The wonderful team from The Netherlands, Signi Zoekhondon, have remained in Spain all week and have continued to support us since Jay was found.
"They are due to fly home in the coming days and we are so appreciative of their dedication and support.
"We would like to thank LBT Global for their support during this impossible time.
"We are working with agencies to arrange Jay's repatriation to the UK and the remaining funds, along with any future donations will be used to help with this if needed and to pay for Jay’s funeral costs back home.
"We want to give our boy the send-off he deserves so please do continue to share and support our fundraiser however you can."
Read more: Body found in hunt for Jay Slater was 'very deteriorated' as Tenerife officials reveal key details
