Jay Slater’s mother has announced that the family is working with GoFundMe to withdraw some of the £36,000 raised since the teenager’s disappearance.

Debbie Duncan, posting on the “Get Jay Slater Home” page on the crowdfunding platform, said the money would be used to support the mountain rescue teams who are tirelessly searching for Jay.

She also stated that the funds would help cover accommodation and food expenses for the family while they are in Tenerife searching for the 19-year-old.

Supporting the Search Efforts

Ms Duncan, currently in Tenerife with Mr Slater’s father and brother, added that “part of these funds” will be used to fly out other family members “so we can support each other during these dark times.

The fundraiser, which was set up to support Mr Slater’s family, had raised more than £36,400 by this morning.

Ms. Duncan’s update on the GoFundMe page coincides with the 11th day of the search for her son.

“Not Losing Hope”

She wrote: “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.

“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.”

She also expressed gratitude to those who had sent “kind messages” and donations, adding: “This means the world to us.”

Ongoing Search Efforts

The search for Jay Slater continues, with rescuers now focusing on a specific area both by helicopter and on foot.

Ms Duncan and her son’s friends have been at the centre of conspiracy theories on social media since the teenager disappeared.

The construction company employing Mr Slater shared a post on Facebook earlier today, urging people to stop sending “cruel” emails and posting theories online.

Appeal to the Public

PH Build Group wrote: “These people are trying to ruin people’s lives and businesses (while) sat behind a screen looking for attention.

Everyone may have their own theories and feelings but to publicly post them knowing you are going to hurt people is just cruel.

Jay’s family shouldn’t have to endure this.

Timeline of Events

Mr Slater, an apprentice bricklayer, had been holidaying with friends in southern Tenerife before travelling to the northwestern mountain village of Masca with two people he met at the NRG music festival on Sunday, 16 June.

The teenager, from Oswaldtwistle near Blackburn in Lancashire, told a friend over the phone at 8:30 am the following morning that he was walking back to his holiday accommodation after missing a bus – a journey that would take 11 hours on foot.

He also said he was lost, in need of water, and only had a1% charge on his phone.

The last person to see Mr. Slater was Masca resident Ofelia Medina Hernandez, who spoke to the teenager on Monday, 17 June.

Ms Hernandez said she told him a bus was due at 10 am as he seemingly hoped to get back to his accommodation. However, he set off walking – and she said she later drove past him while he was “walking fast.”

This ongoing search and the support from the public highlight the hope and determination of Jay’s family to bring him back home safely.