THE GoFundMe page set up to raise money for the family of missing Brit teen Jay Slater has surpassed its goal in just three days.
Set up by Jay’s pal Lucy Law, the fundraising page aimed to collect £30,000 for his family as they search for him in Tenerife.
Now only days after it was created, with almost 3,000 donations, the page now sits at more than £30,500.
Jay’s worried mum Debbie Duncan released a statement today thanking the public for their generosity on the page.
She wrote: “Hi everyone, this is Debbie, Jay’s mother. Thank you all for your generosity and kindness during this difficult time.
“We are extremely worried and are doing everything we can to find Jay. Please continue to share our fundraiser far and wide.
“Your support means the world to us, and we are grateful for any help you can provide.”
Debbie reassured those contributing to the page that the money wouldn’t be used for anything over than expenses to remain in Tenerife.
At least 15 of Jay’s family and friends have flown out to the holiday island as rescue efforts enter the seventh day.
Jay’s mum Debbie is accompanied by his dad Warren Slater and brother Zak.
Debbie wrote: “I wanted to confirm that this is the only GoFundMe fundraiser approved by our family.
“We have not yet withdrawn any funds and are currently covering the expenses, such as the trip to Tenerife and accommodation, ourselves.
“The funds will remain on hold with GoFundMe until we post a further update on this page.”
Lucy was the last person to speak to her friend Jay before he vanished in northern Tenerife on Monday.
On Sunday evening he had gone to a rave with pals Lucy and Brad but left with two new people he’d just met.
After staying at their accommodation near Masca village, Jay missed the bus home on Monday morning and was faced with a 10-hour walk.
He made a panicked phone call to Lucy to tell her he was lost in the middle of nowhere, his phone was about to die and he needed water.
Local cops today focused their efforts around several small buildings in the desolate parkland close to Jay’s last known location in the Rural de Teno park.
Pictures from the mammoth search op today show rescue workers scouring the sparse brush land around two small brick buildings.
One firefighter familiar with the area has said it is “strange” that Jay hasn’t been found yet.
Riccardo, from the Brigada Forestal services, told Manchester Evening News: “It’s very difficult to find people here, because of the ravines and the mountains.
“I’ve seen the case and about the missing boy on the internet… but the days are now passing by and it’s increasingly strange that he hasn’t appeared yet.
“The information we have is that Jay [and his friends] were going to a music festival, and afterwards, the last sign of him was around here in the Teno Rural Park.
“I don’t know if he was walking, hiking… I just don’t know. That’s where I lose the thread.”
