Jay Slater‘s mum Debbie has shared a major update on the progress made in the search for the missing 19-year-old on the GoFundMe page created shortly after his disappearance in Tenerife.
Debbie said they have now encountered a significant setback in their efforts to locate Jay as they are currently unable to accept help from search and rescue agencies offering to help them.
The distraught mother explained the family would need to secure permission from the Spanish authorities to bring in the experts.
She wrote: “We also continue to be contacted by experienced groups offering to support our search. We are busy talking to them about what they can do to assist.
“But in order for us to employ their help, they need to have permission from the Spanish authorities.
“We will be sure to keep you all updated on our progress and are so grateful for your continued support to bring our boy home. Please keep sharing and supporting our fundraiser however you can.”
After the official search was called off last Sunday, Jay’s family insisted they are “holding on to hope” that he will be found.
Jay went missing on the morning of June 17 after a frantic call to friend Lucy Law, who had been staying in Tenerife with him.
The 19-year-old Lancashire native told her he was “lost in the middle of nowhere” and running out of battery. Jay’s last known location was an off-road track within Teno Rural Park, according to GPS data.
Jay’s dad Warren and brother Zak have teamed up with volunteers as they launched their own search, hiking in the presumed area of his disappearance for any clues.
Debbie said locals have also volunteered to help them look for Jay as she thanked everyone for the overwhelming support shown to her and her family.
She added: ” “We have been overwhelmed by the kindness and support we have received and would like to thank the local hiking group for all of their help planning the routes to find our Jay.
“We have been contacted by a wonderful group of locals who have volunteered to continue the search.
“While they don’t wish to accept financial help for their search, we will be supporting them with supplies and are so grateful for their willingness to help.”