Jay Slater‘s mum has told supporters the family is trying to release funds to help support mountain rescue teams searching for her son. Debbie Duncan said funds would also be used to cover the cost of food and accommodation for the family as the search continues in Tenerife.
Mr Slater, 19, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, disappeared while attempting to walk back to his accommodation after missing a bus.
The apprentice bricklayer had been partying at the NRG music festival on the island with two friends before his disappearance and was last heard from on Monday last week.
A GoFundMe fundraising page was set up by Jay’s friend Lucy Law and approved by the family of the missing Brit.
Ms Law is believed to be the last known person to speak to Jay in a frantic phone call during which she was told he was lost in the mountains, wasn’t aware of his surroundings, desperately needed a drink and his phone was on one percent.
Within hours of the appeal’s launch, some £30,000 had been donated by well-wishers.
Ms Duncan wrote in her post: “This is Debbie again. First, I would like to thank everyone for your support, kind messages, and good wishes.
“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.”
She said the family is working with GoFundMe to withdraw part of the funds, which Ms Duncan said “are being safely held”.
Mr Slater’s mum added: “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.
“Thank you again for all your donations and support, this means the world to us.”
Officers from the Guardia Civil in the Canary Islands have been searching Rural de Teno Park on Tenerife.
Search efforts have also been focused on the village of Masca and the surrounding landscape.