Jay Slater's family share final heartfelt thanks as search fundraiser closes

Get the latest Daily Record breaking news on WhatsApp

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info

Join us on WhatsApp

A fundraiser set up to support the family look for Jay Slater and then arrange the tragic lad's funeral has been closed with his mum paying one final heartfelt thanks to well-wishers.

The Go Fund Me page was set up during Jay's disappearance in Tenerife in June with donations pouring in to help with the search and then help bring him home after his body was discovered.

Last week, Jay's bereaved mum, Debbie Duncan, 56, shared a final update to thank those who donated with the fundraiser making £71,000, The Mirror reports.

On November 21 she wrote:"We would like to thank all you beautiful people who supported us throughout this heartbreaking time. Jay really did touch the hearts of the nation and it truly showed us how much love you all shared with us.

"With your support we were able to stay in Tenerife until we got our beautiful boy back to the UK." She said the money raised through GoFundMe helped the family fund the Signi search team from the Netherlands who supported the family throughout the days when Jay was found." The heartbroken mum added: "Jay truly deserved the send off we were able to give him and we thank you all for that.

"We have been overwhelmed with messages of support from all over the globe and will be eternally grateful to all of you. Our journey of trauma and grief will continue for ever and we will never recover.

"We lost our beautiful boy in extremely tragic circumstances whilst the world watched. We do not and will never understand how Jay's story reached every corner of the globe.

Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!

Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.

You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.

No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.

All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!

If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.

We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like.

To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.

If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

"Our journey is far from over but the burdens eased with your support. We would also like to thank the person who looked after Jay's fundraiser page whom we have been in constant contact with, especially whilst in Tenerife, the support and advice you gave will not be forgotten. Donations will be turned off with this final message. Jay's family and friends are trying to come to terms and process this tragic loss and thank you from the bottom of our hearts."

Debbie previously revealed that Jay was due to sit his driving test once back home in the UK. The confident teen had booked in his practical after months preparing for life on the road and his mother Debbie Duncan said her son had so much to live for. She said he also had a career going in the right direction before his life was cut short during the trip earlier this summer.

She said: "Jay was 19 with the world at his feet. He was coming back to a good job and was about to take his driving test. He was just a lovely boy with a massive personality and everybody just loved Jay being in his company - family, friends and work."

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter.

Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.