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Spanish police issue massive appeal for volunteers in search for missing teenager Jay Slater

There is now a huge operation to help find him, with over £40k raised in crowdfunding as well.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 28th June 2024

Spanish police have now issued a massive appeal for volunteers to join the search for British teenager Jay Slater.

The 19-year-old from Oswaldtwistle went missing on Monday last week (17 June) and hasn’t been heard from since around 8am that day after his phone died some 37km away from where he was last seen by friends.

Slater had attended the NRG (New Rave Generation) music festival on the island over the weekend but got separated from his friends and his last location was said to be in the mountainous Rural de Teno park area – a popular hiking trail amongst locals – but authorities haven’t been able to pinpoint him since.

With the youngster missing for nearly 12 days, Spain’s Civil Guard has now been called in to help with the search and police in Tenerife have also urged volunteers to step forward as the search grows increasingly desperate.

A mass operation is now underway to help find Jay Slater and the police chief of the Civil Guard in Tenerfire, Angel Sanz Coronado, said in an official statement that local offers and natives are now on the trail, with specialist search dogs also deployed within the search parties.

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“Given that it is a steep, rocky area, full of uneven terrain and with many ravines, tracks and trails”, said Coronado, “we request the collaboration of all those volunteer associations that can help in this planned search that is intended to be carried out in a directed and coordinated way.”

“This massive search will begin on Saturday, 29 June at 09:00 hours. A meeting point will be established at the Mirador de la Cruz de Hilda in Masca to start the search in a logical and orderly way along the many paths and ravines that are found in Masca.”

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While many have questioned how Slater, an apprentice brick-layer who was on his first trip abroad, ended up so far away from the Veronica’s Strip in the Playa de Las Americas resort and district of Tenerife, the area’s connection to the local drug scene has also added extra cause for concern.

Jay’s friend, Brad, recently spoke to media reporting from the search area in Tenerife and detailed how the Lancashire teen had strayed from the main path and “didn’t seem concerned” when they last spoke. The rescue crew is now sizeable with more family and friends said to be flying over to help.

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Slater’s mum, Debbie Duncan, set up a ‘Get Jay Slater Home’ crowdfunder to help generate additional money to be put towards the search efforts, which has now reached well over £40,000.

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Describing her son’s disappearance as every parent’s “living nightmare”, she said in an update on the fundraising page: “We are currently working with GoFundMe to withdraw part of the funds, which are being safely held. I wanted to share that these funds will be used to support the mountain rescue teams who are tirelessly searching for Jay” and help cover the expenses of those staying in Tenerife.”

Elsewhere, family friend Rachel Hargreaves, mother of best mate Brad, has condemned the growing trend of online trolling surrounding his disappearance, with countless social media users making jokes and some even reportedly messaging pretending to be Jay and messaging her son “I miss you”.

With people making claims about Slater’s background and drumming up various conspiracy theories, she went on to tell the BBC: “The stuff people have been saying about us is just not true. We are not those kinds of people at all.”

Featured Images — Handout/Facebook

News

Government announces homebuying overhaul to fix country’s ‘broken’ housing system

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant New build houses

The Government has announced what it’s calling the biggest shakeup to the homebuying system in this country’s history. 

In a bid to ‘rewire a chaotic system which has become a barrier to homeownership for thousands nationwide, the Government has today (Monday 6 October) unveiled proposals that it says will speed up the long-drawn out and costly process of buying a home by four weeks.

The Housing Secretary says this will not only save people money, but unnecessary stress too.

The proposed new plans would see sellers and estate agents required to provide buyers with ‘vital’ information about a property upfront – including the condition of the home, leasehold costs, and chains of people waiting to move.

It’s hoped this will help end any last-minute chain collapses and ultimately give greater confidence to first-time buyers when they’re making one of life’s most important decisions. 

Houses
The Government has announced plans to fix the country’s ‘broken’ housing system / Credit: Benjamin Elliott (via Unsplash)

Binding contracts could also be introduced to stop people walking away from agreements after buyers painstakingly spend months in negotiations to hopefully halve the number of failed transactions.

The new reforms are also proposing that prospective buyers are provided with side-by-side information on estate agents and conveyancers, including their track record and expertise, alongside new mandatory qualifications and Code of Practice to drive up standards and work to rebuild trust in the industry.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer took to Twitter this morning to address the proposed new homebuying overhaul, commenting: “I promised that my Government would fix the broken housing system.

“Buying or selling a home will be faster, unlocking the dream of homeownership and allowing hardworking people to focus on the next chapter of their lives. That’s national renewal.”

Housing Secretary, Steve Reed, said buying a home should be ‘a dream, not a nightmare’.

He continued: “Our reforms will fix the broken system so hardworking people can focus on the next chapter of their lives. 

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“Through our Plan for Change, we are putting more money back into working people’s pockets and making a simple dream a simple reality.”

Featured Image – James Feaver (via Unsplash)

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English rugby legend Lewis Moody reveals MND diagnosis

Danny Jones Danny Jones Lewis Moody diagnosed with MND

Much-loved English rugby legend Lewis Moody has revealed his heartbreaking MND (motor neuron disease) diagnosis.

The Leicester Tigers and Bath icon, who was captain of the Rugby World Cup-winning England squad back in 2003, unfortunately announced to the world that he is now suffering from MND, also known as ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis).

Moody, 47, is just the latest well-known rugby player to have developed the progressive neurological disorder, with both former players and others being forced to retire due to the condition.

The Ascot-born rugby union veteran has admitted that the news has come as a ‘sudden shock’ to him and his family, but has been left moved by the overwhelming wave of positivity he has received since making the health update public.

Sharing a lengthy message online, Moody wrote: “I’m writing to share some tough news. I have recently been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Motor Neurone Disease (MND). This has been incredibly hard to process and a huge shock to me and my family.

“I feel fit and well in myself, and I’m focused on staying positive, living life and dealing with the changes / will experience as they come.

“I am being well supported by my family, friends and medical professionals, and I’m truly grateful to those who, in their time, helped progress research to support others, like me, living with this disease.”

Notable ex-pros who have sadly passed away from the disease in recent years include Doddie Weir and, of course, Rob Burrow MBE.

There is currently no known cure for MND at present, but as Burrow’s best mate and inspirational teammate, Kevin Sinfield has famously, the belief is that this is because it remains “underfunded” and a breakthrough could still be found.

Speaking to BBC Sport with his long-term partner on Monday, 6 October, ‘Mad Dog Moody’ gave a very open and honest interview about the last few weeks, going from noticing some weakness in his shoulder at the gym to having now been given the tragic diagnosis.

Lewis’ statement continues: “Since retiring from the sport I love, and alongside my wife Annie, I’ve been able to dedicate much of the past 12 years to fundraising for The Lewis Moody Foundation in support of those affected by brain tumours.

“My plan is to continue with this, but to also create an opportunity to support a charity closer to my current situation. I would be so grateful for your help with this and look forward to sharing more, once l am clear on what this looks like.

“For now, please know I feel your love and support; all l ask is that I am given some space to navigate this with my wife and sons, and those closest to us – but without doubt, I will continue to embrace life and grasp opportunities in the same way I always have.

Take Care, Lewis Moody.”

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Sharing a post of their own on social media this morning, the Red Roses wrote: “Everyone at England Rugby is saddened to learn that former captain Lewis Moody has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

“All of our thoughts are with Lewis, his family and friends as they come to terms with this diagnosis. We will be offering both practical and emotional support, and know the entire rugby community will stand with them at this incredibly difficult time.

“We encourage people to show their support through the fundraising initiatives now being set up and available through GoFundMe.”

Sending our strength and support to Lewis Moody, as well as his family, friends and fans; you can donate to his fundraiser down below.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Lewis Moody (via Instagram)/Land Rover MENA (via Flickr)

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