Missing Jay Slater donations to be used to help search efforts

The mother of missing Jay Slater has said some of the money raised by a crowdfunding appeal will be withdrawn to help with the search.

Debbie Duncan, whose 19-year-old son has been missing in Tenerife since 10 June, said it would be used to support mountain rescuers scouring the island for the teenager.

Ms Duncan, from Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire, thanked the public for all the support and donations in “dark times”.

The appeal has so far raised more than £36,000.

Ms Duncan said the money, which is “being held safely” by the crowfunding site, has not yet been accessed.

On Thursday Ms Duncan wrote on Facebook that while it was “difficult to wrap our heads around what is happening”, Mr Slater’s family and friends “are not losing hope” that they will find her son.

Ms Duncan said she is now working with Gofundme to withdraw some of the donated money, to be used to support mountain rescue teams in their efforts searching for Mr Slater.

Mr Slater had reportedly left the tourist hotspot of Playa de las Americas in the south of the island with two British men in the early hours of June 10.

His last known location was a path in the mountainous Rural de Teno national park, about 40 minutes drive from where he left his friends.

Ms Duncan said: “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.”

Mr Slater, an apprentice bricklayer, had travelled to Tenerife to attend the NRG music festival with two friends.

He was last heard from shortly before 9:00 BST on June 10 when he called a friend to say he was lost, thirsty and had 1% battery on his phone.

Mountain rescue teams, the Guardia Civil police, drones, specialist search dogs and helicopter crews have been involved in the search without success so far.

Lancashire Police said they have offered assistance to their Spanish counterparts, who declined saying they “have the resources they need”.