06/09/2026
As you all know we sadly announced the loss of our dear friend, mentor and former deputy director, William Burns ( Wullie).
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Wullies family at this sad time especially his Wife, Children, Grand/Great Grandchildren.
Wullie was one of several fellow founding members alongside his lifelong childhood friend
Our Founder Davie Bryce.
There is so much to say about this great man way too much to put in a single post and it’s hard to know where to start.
With half marathons at Edinburgh and Glasgows great Scottish run, 10k’s, and decades running over the carman hill our famous New Year’s day run. Wullie was a great example of the motto “running back to happiness”.
In the 90’s he took charge of the school drug awareness teams. A three part drug awareness talk that he would deliver to thousands of children all over the country. Not only mentoring members on how to do this over the decades but making sure he coached others to carry on the great work that he started.
Over the years Wullie had scaled many munro’s,
Including Ben Nevis, Benmacdui, and walks through Skye and The West Highland Way and later at the age of 66 becoming part of the Everest base camp crew 2016.
This was a 21 day trek with Sherpa’s and guides taking us through the Katmandu valley in Nepal and onto Everest.
Wullie also received a life time achievement award for his work in schools,local and surrounding communities and his work through our own group meetings/events helping fellow addicts and alcoholics achieve and sustain recovery.where he not only watched our members grow but all our children as-well who grew up to love wullie as much as we did.
Wullie was also instrumental in an advisory role along with other members to the writers, producers and directors to the Film Trainspotting. Where he went on to play a part in a scene in the film Trainspotting 2.
Over the last two decades Wullie worked tirelessly with our gaffer Davie Main, and chairman Tam Chawner (another lifelong friend) who along with all other committee members and members are heartbroken at the loss of this great man.
Wullie has left us all with his Great wisdom and knowledge. With plenty of memories and laughter along the way but a man who always took his recovery seriously.
We are all so proud of what he achieved and accomplished and he will be sorely missed by everyone.
Rest In Peace Wullie 💔
