Jay Slater's mom issues statement as GoFundMe smashes £30,000 target

Jay Slater's worried mom has issued a statement after kind donations led to their GoFundMe surpassing £30,000.

Credit: Facebook

A week ago, 19-year-old Jay Slater was reported missing while on vacation in Tenerife.

The teenager - from Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire - had been visiting the Spanish island with friends while attending the NRG music festival.

However, on June 16, Jay opted to continue the evening with two British men had he met that night, rather than return back to his shared apartment with his friend Lucy Mae Law.

READ MORE: 7 Days Missing - Everything We Know About Jay Slater's Disappearance

The next morning, at around 8:15AM, Jay called Lucy Mae to say that he was lost, thirsty, and was going to attempt to walk back to their apartment - a journey that would have taken around 10 hours.

Shortly after 9:00AM, Lucy Mae reported Jay missing to Spanish authorities.

Prior to his phone dying, Jay's last tracked location was in the Rural de Teno Park, near the village of Masca, a popular hiking area - which has been the key area rescue teams have focused on over the last 7 days.

In order to aid in the search and be close by to communicate with authorities, many of Jay's family - including his mom, Debbie Duncan - have flown out to Tenerife.

In an effort to cover the costs, Lucy Mae launched a GoFundMe earlier this week, writing in the description: "We are all so worried and we just want him home. Please help if you can and share far and wide."

As a result of the huge public concern, the online fundraiser has now smashed its £30,000 target, and currently sits on £32,723 (as of this writing) thanks to donations from more than 3,000 people.

The GoFundMe has surpassed its £30,000 target. Credit: GoFundMe

Following this news, Jay's mom has issued a statement - thanking those for supporting her family and sharing how the money will be spent.

Her message read: "Hi everyone, this is Debbie, Jay's mother.

"Thank you all for your generosity and kindness during this difficult time. 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"We have not yet withdrawn any funds and are currently covering the expenses, such as the trip to Tenerife and accommodation, ourselves.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.

"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."

"Thank you again," Debbie signed off the update.

Sadly, the concerned mom has also spoken out about the vile nickname social media trolls are calling her.

Jay Slater's mom, Debbie Duncan. Credit: ITV/YouTube

As reported by The Mirror, the concerned mom spoke out about her criticism she's facing over the weekend, saying: "People keep asking on social media ‘why aren’t I up there?’ and calling me the new Karen Matthews. I just can’t face it.”

For those who may not know, Karen Matthews made headlines back in 2008 when her nine-year-old daughter went missing in the UK. Police later learned that she was involved in the plot to kidnap her daughter in a scheme to claim some of the £50,000 reward money.

Matthews was sentenced to eight years behind bars and was referred to as "Britain's Worst Mom" in the press.

Jay's mom - not losing hope - continued: "I’m just exhausted. I’m still hopeful. I’m not feeling negative just yet."

Debbie Duncan with her son, Jay Slater. Credit: Facebook

“My boy might be just up there somewhere," Debbie added. "We’re all devastated. He’s just a normal boy from a little town in Lancashire. These things don’t happen.

"I was in touch with him while he is in Tenerife. He was just holidaying away, he’d saved up and was looking forward to it. I’ve not slept for five days. My brain isn’t functioning well and I’m tired and exhausted."

Featured image credit: Handout/Facebook