Jay Slater’s mum had ‘never even heard of GoFundMe’ – but now is getting abused constantly over £72k fund

Debbie Duncan told how Jay was devoted to his family and friends, would always dance at events and recently took his her to see Bob Marley film One Love.

The grieving mum and brother Zak, 24, told how they took comfort from the hundreds who attended his funeral on August 10 to celebrate his tragically short life.

Debbie, 56, said: “Jay was just a lovely boy with a massive personality.

“Everybody just loved Jay being in his company - family, friends and work.

“He was loving and popular, always full of fun and smiling – and the main guy in the group.”

Debbie and Zak – one of Jay’s pallbearers – were seen linking arms for support as they walked his coffin to its final resting place at Accrington Crematorium, Lancs surrounded by family and friends.

And heartbroken Debbie added: “He deserved every bit of what he had at his funeral, with people paying tribute - and none of the abuse he has had.

“I am still trying to process everything, really, and it’s hard to explain how I feel.

“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 a normal lad.”

Grief-stricken mum Debbie showed us trophies, pictures and mementos of Jay – including a photo and hand-print of his first day at West End Primary School in 2009 – to illustrate his normal upbringing.

She proudly clutched a Players’ Player of the year award from his footie team – Huncoat United in Accrington – from 2015/2016.

And Debbie also showed us a trophy Jay received from employers, PH Build, for best apprentice in 2022.

She said: “Jay was a normal lad and went to a nice primary school.

“He was just so popular from a young age – and was always playing out on the front, in the front garden, with the neighbours. He was just brilliant.

“He was kicking a football as soon as he could walk.

“He played for Huncoat United from the age of five, and went through all the teams.

“As he got older he was into music and DJs, like Hannah Laing. He started going to more events, following DJs and the dance scene

“It was all work hard, play hard, really.

“Then his football kind of went on a back burner because it was early Saturday morning games, and he didn’t really want to get up on a Saturday morning to play football.

“Jay was due to come home, finish his apprenticeship and take his driving test.

“He was already working on big barn conversions and properties for the building firm and his bosses loved him.”

Zak said: “Jay was the best little brother anyone could ever wish for. Always smiling, always happy, just laughing, sort of, at the party.”