Jay Slater GoFundMe hits huge milestone after mum pleads for more donations | Chronicle Live

The fundraising campaign for the late Jay Slater has exceeded its £70,000 target.

Initially set up by close friends after his disappearance with a target of £30,000, the fund saw a surge in contributions following the tragic discovery of his body on Monday.

Jay’s mother Debbie Duncan, 55, expressed her gratitude to everyone who had shown support and pledged to ensure her son received “the send-off he deserves”. She also appealed for additional donations to cover funeral expenses and the cost of repatriating his body to the UK.

She said: “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 so grateful for your support.” the mirror.

Debbie continued: “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.”

Sadly, the family faced online abuse following the appeal, prompting the head of the charity supporting the grieving family to condemn the “keyboard warriors” who criticised Debbie for seeking extra funds.

Chief executive Matthew Searle expressed his support for the grieving family online, saying: “We are seeing a lot of hateful content online, regarding 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.”

A Civil Guard spokesman confirmed that the autopsy indicated that Mr Slater’s injuries were consistent with an accidental fall.

The Canary Islands High Court verified the identity of the body using fingerprint technology after it was found on Monday near the village of Masca in Tenerife. The Spanish Civil Guard suggested Mr Slater may have fallen on the rugged terrain of the Juan Lopez Racine where he was found.

Heartfelt tributes have poured in for Jay, who went missing in Tenerife on June 19. Jay’s mother Debbie Duncan shared her deep sadness, saying: “I can’t believe this could happen to my beautiful boy.”

In addition, memorials were left in the ravine in Tenerife where the body of the young mason was found.

Debbie has since revealed her fears she will “collapse” if she doesn’t arrange Jay’s funeral. Matt Searle, director of UK charity LBT Global, which helps people who have gone missing overseas, said: “Debbie told me that if she didn’t do something she would collapse.”