The GoFundMe page set up after Jay Slater went missing in Tenerife has now raised more than double its initial goal, days after the teenager’s heartbroken mother launched a new appeal for donations.
The Get Jay Slater Home fundraiser, launched by the teenager’s close friend Lucy Law after his disappearance, has reached its initial target of £30,000 just days after it was set up.
After the 19-year-old’s body was sadly discovered in a dangerous gorge on the Spanish island on Monday morning (July 15), the fund has seen a surge in contributions.
READ MORE: When Jay Slater’s Tragic Final Journey Could Take Place
On Thursday (July 18), with the total raised standing at £59,000, Jay’s grief-stricken mother Debbie Duncan, 55, launched an appeal for further donations to cover funeral expenses and the cost of repatriating her son’s body to the UK.
The 19-year-old’s heartbroken mother wrote: “Hello everyone, thank you for all your kindness, support and condolences in light of the tragic news of Jay’s body being found.
“We are overwhelmed with grief and are very grateful for your support.”
She added: “We are working with agencies to arrange Jay’s repatriation to the UK and any remaining funds, along with any future donations, will be used to help where needed and to pay for Jay’s funeral expenses at home.”
“We want to give our boy the send-off he deserves, so please continue to share and support our fundraiser however you can.”
The page has now raised more than £70,000, with more than £10,000 donated in the days following Debbie’s last appeal.
A Spanish court on Tuesday (July 16) confirmed Jay’s death and said his multiple injuries were consistent with a fall into a rocky area. The Canary Islands High Court of Justice confirmed the identity of the body using fingerprint technology.
A court spokesman said the autopsy report determined the injuries he sustained were consistent with an accidental fall. In a statement released through the charity LBT Global following the discovery, Debbie said: “I just can’t believe it. We’ve been here with embassy staff waiting for an update and now it’s arrived – the worst news ever.”
She added: “I can’t believe this could happen to my beautiful boy. Our hearts are broken.”
Jay’s family faced online harassment following the GoFundMe appeal, prompting LBT Global director Matthew Searle to offer his support to the grieving family.
Mr Searle took to the internet to defend the family’s request for more donations, saying: “We’re seeing a lot of hateful content online, about the family asking for more donations to help Jay have a very happy send-off. This hate is coming from people who, I suspect, have never had to repatriate a loved one who has passed away.
“These costs can easily exceed £20,000. These people probably haven’t had to organise their child’s funeral themselves, nor felt the need to organise it in the most grand and pleasant way possible, because it’s the last thing they will do for their child.”
Tributes to Jay have poured in following news of his tragic death. Among those paying tribute was his friend Lucy, who wrote on her Instagram page: “I honestly have no words.
“Always the happiest, smileiest person in the room, you were one of a kind, Jay, and we will miss you more than you know. I’m sure you’ll have your dancing shoes “polished and ready” waiting for us all. We all love you, buddy. Fly high.”
Mourners, including Jay’s family, also left tributes at the ravine where the young mason’s body lay.
A handwritten note left by Debbie Duncan reads: “To my beautiful boy, I’m so sorry we never found you.
“I miss you so much. You will always be young and I will always miss you. Mom xxx.”
Jay’s father, Warren Slater, also left a touching handwritten message for his son. The note simply reads: “To my son, I love you Dad.”
A third handwritten note left by Jay’s older brother Zac reads: “I love you little brother, never in a million years thought I’d say this. I’ll take care of mommy and daddy, hope you’re partying up there with grandpa.”
“I hope to see you again one day, rest well my brother, I love you Zak.”
