EXCITEMENT is building as the final area event in this year's Community Champion Awards draws closer.

After sorting through the entries the finalists have been selected from the unsung heroes in our local communities, the people who never think twice about going that extra mile for friends and neighbours.

Each year, in the Community Champion Awards, we celebrate their good deeds.

They may have made a difference by caring for others, campaigning for better services, or in general creating a positive environment.

The awards ceremony for entries from the North-West of Glasgow is on October 1, at Partick Burgh Halls, hosted by Evening Times columnist and Pop Idol winner Michelle McManus.

We can now reveal the shortlist.

Nominated for the Team Award are Epilepsy Connections Fieldwork Team and Ruchill Credit Union.

In the running for the Individual Award are Ann Lawrence, Evelyn Gibson, Maisie Macrae and Matilda McIlroy.

Donald Dewar Day Care Centre, Tony Snodgrass and the Community Jannies and Whiteinch Centre are all up for the Public Service Award.

Dr David Reilly, Firefighter Alistair Pigott and the NHS Centre of Integrative Care have made it to the shortlist for the Uniform Services Award.

Nominated for the Senior Award are Annexe Communities Connects Projects, Flo McKenna, Sadie Gordon and Susan Morrison.

Hopefuls for the Young Aware are DRC generation Mentoring, Transition Support Service; Ignite Theatre and Police Scotland Youth Volunteers (Glasgow).

East Park, Family Addiction Support Service, Good Morning Service and the WEL Programme Team are all up for the Health and Wellbeing Award.

And finally, Fortune Flyers, Steven Gilliland, the University of Glasgow and Thomas Lyon are in the running for the Sport Award.

The winners from each of our three local events will go through as finalists for a glittering awards ceremony in the City Chambers in December to crown the Champions of Champions.

The finalists, decided by a judging panel made up of representatives from our awards partners - Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Housing Association, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue and Glasgow Community Planning Partnership - will take their place in our hall of fame.

"The invaluable work carried out by ordinary people day in and day out is tremendously important," says Lord Provost Councillor Sadie Docherty.

"Very often the hard work and commitment of these extraordinary citizens goes unnoticed, and that's why the Community Champion Awards are so worthwhile.

"They allow us to get a glimpse of the marvellous work that people do in their communities and to celebrate that unique dedication. Not only that but it raises the profile and underlines the value of true community spirit."

angela.mcmanus @eveningtimes.co.uk