Jay Slater’s mum explains GoFundMe cash plans – however some say sums do not add up
Jay Slater’s mum has asked for more money to give her son ‘the send off he deserves.
But even though there has been an outline of how the GoFundMe money would be spent – some say the maths “don’t add up.”
In an update on the page, heartbroken Debbie Duncan thanked people for their “kindness, support and condolences”, after the body of her 19-year-old son was found in a ravine in treacherous Tenerife mountainside on Monday, July 15.
Debbie, who is the sole beneficiary of the GoFundMe funds, then revealed that she and Jay’s family are planning Jay’s repatriation and his funeral, explaining that the funds raised would cover these costs.
READ MORE: New Jay Slater search launched to find tragic scene but family warned not to lay flowers
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(Image: Lancs Live/MEN Media)
She 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.
“We would like to thank LBT Global for their support during this impossible time. 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 GoFundMe page smashed it’s original £30,000 target to raise almost £70,000, with people continuing to donate after Jay’s body was found. That raised some questions about what the money is being spent on.
(Image: Jonathan Buckmaster)
According to body repatriation experts Homeland International, the cost to send a body home is usually between £3,000 and £6,000, reports MailOnline — which small fry compared to the funds Jay’s family have access to.
The figure includes the cost of freight, the embalming process, a fit-to-fly coffin and a certificate saying the body is infection free.
This would leave a considerable chunk of money for Jay’s funeral.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Matthew Searle, chief executive of the missing persons charity LBT Global said that while Jay’s travel insurance may cover some of the cost, money donated to a GoFundMe page to help with the search could now instead be used to take Jay’s body back to Britain.
X is rife with people speculating what will happen to the leftover money, with one person writing “I would like to see the receipts of the funeral costs being paid for by the GoFundMe for Jay Slater”.
(Image: Jonathan Buckmaster)
Another said: “ I really do feel sorry for Debbie Duncan… But now setting up a GoFundMe page to pay for the funeral. They’ve had 60k and want more donations. Taking the p*ss now.”
A third user wrote: “Why does Jay Slater ’s mother think other people should pay for his ‘send-off’.
“Isn’t that the parent’s responsibility?
(Image: Gofundme)
MailOnline reports its believe Debbie will make a donation to charity LBT Global as thanks for their support, and that she may set up a memorial fund in Jay’s name with left over money.
A spokesman for GoFundMe said the platform was in ‘regular contact’ with the Slater family,
It is understood that Debbie is making a donation to LBT Global as a thank you for their support. It may be that she will give any leftover money to set up a memorial fund in Jay’s name.
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