Family reunited after 18 years
A DAD-OF-TWO has been reunited with his long lost grandfather after 18 years apart – after he tracked him down on Facebook.
Martin Burns, 26, a factory worker, was desperate to meet up with his grandad David Burns, 73, who he had not seen following a family argument.
The dad-of-two set himself a New Year’s resolution on January 1 to track down David, a retired bus driver.
Martin, from Renfrewshire, said: “I had decided that 2018 was the year that I would find my long lost grandad. The last time I saw David I was eight-years-old. I wanted a relationship and I wanted him to meet my children.”
On the evening of January 2, he shared the only picture he had of David to the Missing People Scotland group on Facebook.
Just two hours later, Martin received the message he had longed for. A stranger called Dean McCormick, 26, had spotted the post and recognised David as one of his neighbours.
The address was just a 45-minute drive from Martin’s home.
He said: “I was over the moon. I couldn’t believe someone actually knew him and even better had an address.”
Martin, his partner Amanda, 26, and their two children, Emily, four, and Aidan, one, piled into their car and drove the 36-mile journey the very next morning. When David opened the door, Martin blurted out: “It’s me, Martin.”
David i mmediately hugged Martin before bursting into tears at the sight of his long lost grandson.
Martin said: “He burst into tears and put his arms around me.
“It’s the best New Year’s resolution I’ve ever had.”
David added: “I am really happy that Martin tried his best to find me and a big thanks to Facebook and Dean McCormick for making this happen.
“I can now enjoy the rest of my life with Martin and his young family.”