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THE heartbroken family of Jay Slater has launched a new fundraiser ahead of the 19-year-old’s funeral.
It comes after supporters donated more than £75,000 to the GoFundMe page set up to help search for Jay.
PA
InstagramJay’s family have made an emotional plea for donations in lieu of flowers to LBT Global, the charity which aided the Slater family’s search for Jay.
It comes after the teen’s body was returned to the UK last week.
The specially built page for LBT Global, remembering-jay.raiselysite.com/, is designed to raise funds to support other families and to tackle online trolling and misinformation aimed at victims and families of missing people.
Web bullies have criticised Debbie, 55, and other members of the family for encouraging people to donate to a GoFundMe page which was set up when Jay went missing.
In a statement released on Thursday on the ‘Get Jay Slater Home’ GoFundMe page, she said: “Hello everyone, thank you for all of your kindness, support and condolences in light of the tragic news that Jay’s body has been found.
“We are overwhelmed with grief and are so grateful for your support.”
Jay’s mother Debbie Duncan, 55, made the heartbreaking journey home to the UK last week with father Warren, 58, and Jay’s brother Zak, 24.
It comes after a UK post mortem determined Jay’s death was instantaneous, caused by traumatic head injuries, consistent with the fall from height.
The teen’s funeral is now set for Saturday, August, 10 in the Chapel at Accrington Crematorium.
The cost of the funeral is set to be covered by the GoFundMe page set up by Jay’s pal Lucy Mae Law in the days after he first disappeared.
The fundraiser skyrocketed past £70,000 with more than 5,600 donations.
Ahead of the funeral, Jay’s family released a touching Obituary, which said: “Remembering with love Jay Dean Slater, of Fountains Way, Oswaldtwistle, who passed away unexpectedly on Monday 17th June 2024, whilst on holiday in Tenerife, aged 19 years.
“A loving son of Debbie and Warren, a cherished brother of Zak and brother in law of Jessica, a treasured grandson of Dawn, June and the late Dougie, a much loved nephew of Glen and Katie, a dear cousin of Maddie and Tillie and a loyal friend to many.
“Jay will be very sadly missed by all those who knew him.
“Family flowers only please, but if anyone would like to bring a single rose to place with Jay, they are more than welcome (no bouquets).”
Jay’s body was tragically found on Monday at the bottom of a treacherous ravine in Masca – four weeks after he disappeared while on holiday with his pals for the NRG music festival.
The apprentice bricklayer, 19, had travelled to a remote Airbnb in Masca with two men in the early hours of June 17.
He had been partying all night in Playa de las Americas, close to an hour’s drive away.
In the morning, he attempted the 11 hour walk back to his own accommodation miles away.
Jay made a tragic final phone call to friend Lucy Law to say he was lost, needed water and only had one per cent phone battery.
It was the last time Jay, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, was heard from, and a mammoth search mission was launched.
Timeline of Jay Slater's disappearance
THE grim discovery of a body came after weeks of agony for Jay’s friends and family. Here is how events unfolded:
June 16: Jay and his friends party on the last day of the NRG music festival at Papagayo nightclub in Playa de la Americas, Tenerife.
June 17th:
- 3-6am: Jay leaves with Ayub Qassim and another man for a £40-a-night Airbnb 23 miles away in the village of Masca.
- 7.30am: Jay shares a photo on Snapchat standing at the doorway of the Airbnb.
- 8.50am: He calls pal Lucy Mae Law and says he is “lost in the middle of nowhere” with no water, a cut to his leg and one per cent on his phone.
June 18: Pals search the area but no sign of Jay. Local cops and mountain rescue teams start the official search. Jay’s mother Debbie Duncan flies to Tenerife.
June 19 – 20: Spanish police deploy drones, dogs and a helicopter, but find no trace. Search moves to Los Cristianos amid possible sighting, but it is ruled out and they return to Rural de Teno, near Masca.
June 21: Lancashire Police offer support but it is declined.
June 22: Mum Debbie issues an appeal to Jay saying: “We just need you home.”
June 24: Claims of Jay sighting in Santiago del Teide — near where he disappeared — and family believe a grainy CCTV image could be of him.
June 25: Debbie issues a plea for Jay to come home as more friends fly out and TV investigator Mark Williams-Thomas joins the search.
June 29: Cops rule Mr Qassim, and another man at Airbnb, out of investigation.
June 30: Spanish cops officially suspend hunt but say probe “remains open”. His family continue to search.
July 15: A body is found by a helicopter search team close to where his phone last pinged. His possessions are discovered next to human remains. Spanish cops say it points to an “accidental fall”.
July 17: Tenerife authorities confirm the body found in the mountainous area of the island is Jay’s
August 3: Jay’s heartbroken mum Debbie Duncan revealed her son’s body had been flown back to the UK the week before.
August 4: A UK post mortem confirmed Jay’s cause of death was caused by traumatic head injuries.
Jay’s family stayed at Santiago del Teide, the mountainous region’s gateway town, during the hunt.
Jay’s dad Warren and brother Zak spent weeks searching the unforgiving terrain for a breakthrough after the teenager vanished on June 17.
They retraced his steps in the blistering heat for days on their own after Spanish cops suspended their search.
But his body was finally discovered by a helicopter crew on Monday at the bottom of a ravine close to where his mobile phone last pinged.
Tributes and flowers were laid down in the days after Jay’s body was found.
Jay Slater's touching obituary
REMEMBERING with love Jay Dean Slater, of Fountains Way, Oswaldtwistle, who passed away unexpectedly on Monday 17th June 2024, whilst on holiday in Tenerife, aged 19 years.
After Jay left Rhyddings High School he went on to become an apprentice bricklayer with the PH Build group, a job he greatly enjoyed.
At the young age of 5 Jay started playing football for Huncoat United FC until the age of 17 and also did a few seasons with the Sunday team at St Joesph’s too.
He also loved spending time chilling out with his friends.
Jay’s love of music and dance started at a very young age. He loved attending music festivals and events across the country and also loved to socialise and meet new people.
A loving son of Debbie and Warren, a cherished brother of Zak and brother in law of Jessica, a treasured grandson of Dawn, June and the late Dougie, a much loved nephew of Glen and Katie, a dear cousin of Maddie and Tillie and a loyal friend to many. Jay will be very sadly missed by all those who knew him.
A celebration of life service will be held at 10.30am on Saturday 10th August 2024, at Accrington Cemetery Chapel prior to interment.
Those attending are invited to wear something blue in his memory.
Family flowers only please, but if anyone would like to bring a single rose to place with Jay, they are more than welcome.
PH BUILDING GROUP/UNPIXS
Ian Whittaker
Ian Whittaker
Doug Seeburg
Reuters
English (US)