Jay Slater GoFundMe surpasses £70k after teen’s heartbroken mum issues desperate plea

The GoFundMe page set up after Jay Slater went missing in Tenerife has now raised more than double its initial target days after the teenager’s heartbroken mum issued a new plea for donations.

The "Get Jay Slater Home" fundraiser, which was set up by the teenager’s close friend Lucy Law following his disappearance, reached its original target of £30,000 just days after it was created.

After the 19-year-old's body was sadly discovered in a treacherous gorge on the Spanish island on Monday morning (July 15) the fund has seen a surge in contributions.

READ MORE: When Jay Slater's tragic final journey home could happen

On Thursday (July 18), with the total raised sitting at £59,000, Jay’s grief-stricken mum Debbie Duncan, 55, appealed for further donations to cover funeral expenses and the cost of bringing her son's body back to the UK.

The 19-year-old’s heartbroken mum wrote: "Hello everyone, thank you for all of your kindness, support and condolences in light of the tragic news that Jay's body has been found.

"We are overwhelmed with grief and are so grateful for your support."

She added: "We are working with agencies to arrange Jay's repatriation to the UK and the remaining funds, along with any future donations will be used to help with this if needed and to pay for Jay's funeral costs back home."

"We want to give our boy the send-off he deserves so please do continue to share and support our fundraiser however you can."

The page has now raised more than £70,000 with over £10,000 donated in the days since Debbie’s latest appeal.

A Spanish court confirmed Jay's death on Tuesday (July 16) and said his multiple injuries were consistent with a fall in a rocky area. The Canary Islands High Court of Justice confirmed the