EVERYONE knows a community champion.

It could be your next-door-neighbour or your local firefighter; your best friend or friendly neighbourhood cop.

Perhaps the coach of a local sports club or a hardworking parent you know deserves recognition? Or it could be a nurse who goes above and beyond the day job or a pensioner who campaigns for better services.

The Evening Times, in association with its high profile partners Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Community Planning Partnership, Glasgow Housing Association, Scottish Fire and Rescue and Police Scotland, has rewarded 330 unsung heroes since we first launched our Community Champions Awards eight years ago.

This year’s hunt has already begun, with nominations flooding in for the north east of the city, the first of three heats ahead of December’s grand final.

The first winners will be announced on March 10, but ahead of the big night, our partners describe why it’s fantastic to be backing Community Champions once more.

Gordon Sloan, GHA chairman, said: “GHA has now been involved in the Community Champions Awards for a number of years and we are really pleased to be involved again this year.

“Not only do the awards recognise the good work being carried out by Glasgow’s local heroes but hopefully they will inspire others to become more involved in their own communities.”

Dave Cowley of Scottish Fire and Rescue said: “Scottish Fire and Rescue is delighted to be supporting the Evening Times Community Champions Awards once again.

“It’s great to see people actively supporting their local community for the benefit of everyone. They are an inspiration for us all and this is a fantastic opportunity to recognise their contribution.”

For each heat, nominations are invited in the following categories - Team Award, Individual Award, Public Services Award, Uniformed Services Award, Senior Award, Young Award, Health and Wellbeing Award and Sports Award.

Evening Times editor Rob Bruce said: "Since our launch a few weeks ago we have been delighted to see the fantastic nominations coming in thick and fast.

“There are so many remarkable people in Glasgow, making a difference to the everyday lives of those around them, that it’s great to be able to pay tribute to their dedication and hard work.”

A list of nominees will be published in the Evening Times and on our website in the run-up to each event and the finalists, decided by a judging panel made up of representatives from the awards' partners, will take their place in our hall of fame.

The finalists will be revealed at three events taking place across the city over the coming months.

The first heat, for the North East, will be on March 10, on June 16 for the South and on October 6 for the North West.

The winners from each local event will go through to the glittering grand final, a civic reception in the City Chambers in December with Lord Provost Councillor Sadie Docherty.

Last year's grand final winners were Easthall Residents Association (Team Award); Edward Kirkwood (Individual Award); Royston Youth Action (Public Service Award); Govan Community Policing Team (Uniformed Services Award); Alec Watt (Senior Award); Erin Ryan (Young Award); Active East (Sport Award); Common Wheel (Health and Wellbeing Award); and Beatroute (Lord Provost's special award).

To find out more, log on to www.eveningtimesevents.com/community champs/ or call Cheryl Risk on 0141 302 7410.