Fundraising campaign for Jastine Valdez’ family raises over €80k in 24 hours

A fundraising campaign to help support the family of 24-year-old Jastine Valdez has raised more than €80,000 in 24 hours.

Ms Valdez went missing from Enniskerry, Co Wicklow, on Saturday afternoon after reports that she had been forced into a car. RTÉ report that the young woman's body was discovered in Rathmichael, in south Dublin on Monday afternoon. The GoFundMe page was created by Outreach Ireland, a group of volunteers who support the Filipino community in Ireland. It was established to "facilitate all of those who wish to offer support and sympathy" to Ms Valdez' family. The description on the page reads:

"Jastine Valdez was an only child  taken from her parents at the age of 24 in the most unimaginable circumstance. "Born in the Philippines she came to Ireland to study and to join her parents who are now naturalised Irish citizens. Both parents work and are active in the community. "The Valdez family have lost their only child, they are facing a situation that no person on this earth should have to face. They are parents saying goodbye to their child. "Any and all funds raised on this page will go directly to the parents of Jastine Valdez to help them in the weeks and months ahead."

At the time of writing, the fund has raised over €87,000 from an initial target of €10,000. The GoFundMe can be found here.