Jay Slater’s family and friends back in his hometown of Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, are reportedly keen to aid the family, which was left “blindsided” by the end of official searches
Missing Jay Slater’s desperate family plans to continue searching for the teen over summer, despite official efforts having concluded nearly a week ago.
Jay, 19, disappeared in mid-June, prompting immediate action from Spanish authorities, who launched a volunteer-aided operation that lasted two weeks. His family has praised the efforts of both local and national police in Tenerife, but have pledged to keep searching, with Britons having flown to the island to comb the rugged terrain where the apprentice bricklayer went missing.
The family believes the British element is key to ensuring the search can continue, with those participating on the island and back home in Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, proving key to the future effort. Friends and family in Jay’s hometown are reportedly keen to aid in the effort.
The Sun reports that the family is discussing plans to hold a string of events in Jay’s hometown that could help support the effort in Tenerife after they were “blindsided” by the search conclusion. Speaking to the publication, a source close to the family said friends are “hoping to go further and try to raise money in any way they can”.
They said: “Some of his pals are discussing holding events to get funds together to keep the search alive for him. There are a lot of people who are coming forward saying they’d like to be involved and his pals are also planning to speak to local businesses, like pubs, and shops to see if they can help support them in any way.
“It will be big boost for Jay’s parents. They are determined to keep boots on the ground in Tenerife for as long as possible now that the police have officially ended their search.”
Debbie Duncan, Jay’s mother, has said she plans to use some of the nearly £50,000 in donations sent to a GoFundMe set up to bring her son home to aid people who have travelled to Tenerife to conduct independent searches. Speaking in an update posted to the page yesterday, she said the family is currently “looking after” Paul Arnott, the 29-year-old self-styled explorer who has documented his search on TikTok.
Speaking in the update, she said: “We will continue to use part of the funds to support the volunteers working hard in the mountains to find Jay. We are currently looking after Paul Arnett, putting together a package of any equipment and essentials he needs and going up to do a drop for him.”
The mum added: “The remaining funds will continue to be used to support the rescue teams who are tirelessly searching for Jay as well as our own expenses as we remain in Tenerife looking for our boy.”
