We are very sad to be sharing the news that one of our founding Trustees, and our first Chairperson, Bill Gray passed away recently.
Bill was on the Board of Trustees for over 30 years, and was a constant in his commitment to Citizen Advocacy and to our aim of Friendship Changing Lives. Bill was so proud of what Dunfermline Advocacy has achieved, and we were so pleased to capture some photos of Bill attending our 30th anniversary celebrations in the autumn of 2022.
Bill at our 30th Anniversary Celebration
Bill started his exploration of Disability Equality in 1988 when the Social Model of Disability was first introduced to Scotland. Bill then supported the development of several organisations including The Dunfermline Forum on Disability and Fife Independent Disability Network. Other activities included being appointed a Tribunal member for Social Security appeals, a member of the Crown Office’s Equality Advisory Group, and a Committee member of Housing Options in Scotland.
In 2010 Bill was awarded the MBE for his services to Diversity and Disability Equality Training.
Our current Chairperson, Johnathan Doran, said:
“Although Bill will sadly no longer join us at our table of trustees, the current Board are very aware that we are only able to continue growing the organisation in his absence because of the hard work and dedication that Bill and others exerted in founding Dunfermline Advocacy.
We all owe an enormous debt to people like Bill who quietly, and unassumingly, better their communities through projects such as Dunfermline Advocacy. Having marked its 30th year of growth in his good company last year, we will all do our best to continue the charity’s story, with Bill having always played an important part.”
We are sending condolences to Bill’s wife, Margaret, and all his family and friends. Bill’s family have asked for donations to be made to Dunfermline Advocacy in his memory and for us to share a link for people to do so.
