THE first Evening Times community champions of 2016 will be decided next week.

The men, women and children of the north east of the city, who make life in Glasgow better for all, will be celebrated in our awards ceremony on March 10, supported by our partners Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Community Planning Partnership, Glasgow Housing Association, Scottish Fire and Rescue and Police Scotland.

The shortlist is packed with fantastic groups and inspiring individuals who work hard for the benefit of their communities.

The finalists for the Team Award are Action for Children GEN R 8 Youth Housing Support Service, which has helped more than 300 young people beat homelessness; Baltic Street Adventure Playground (BSAP), which provides a safe, fun place for children to play in Dalmarnock; The Good Morning Service, which helps older people beat isolation and loneliness; and Quarriers Family Centre, which runs a variety of services for the local community across the north east of the city.

The contenders for the Individual Award are Susan Wilson, a dedicated fundraiser who devotes all of her spare time to helping local charities and schools; David Purcell, who has overcome his own addiction problems to become a support worker, helping others to change their lives for the better; and David Weir, a FARE volunteer who has become a role model for the young people of the east end.

There are two people up for the Public Service Award - Harry Young, from Royston, who juggles a variety of fundraising and support work in his various roles with RYA, Rosemount Learning, North Glasgow Integration Network and more; and Ross Ferguson, who goes the extra mile in his role at Connect Community Trust in Easterhouse to support the area's young people.

The four finalists in the Senior Award category are Margaret Simpson, from Baillieston, who chairs the Unity Lunch Club and is a hardworking member of Swinton Community Council; Rachel McCann, founding member of Easthall Residents Association, who has worked hard for 40 years on behalf of her community; Jean Menzies, who has been running the High Carntyne Sunshine Club for the last 12 years; and John Boyle, who lost his sight eight years ago and has since dedicated his life to raising awareness of and funds for Deafblind Scotland.

The contenders for the Young Award are Lauren Dixon, a St Roch's Secondary pupil who works hard for several community projects in Royston; Easthall Residents Association Youth Committee, a bunch of young volunteers who run homework clubs, support groups, summer clubs and more for their peers in the local area; Jordan Fraser, who has overcome personal difficulties to become an inspirational youth leader; Pavilion Youth Cafe's young volunteers who run the busy junior club; and Daryl Bell, a hardworking volunteer with FARE in Easterhouse.

The shortlisted candidates for the Health and Wellbeing Award are Free Wheel North, the fantastic cycle club for all; Time and Space, which offers support to those with mental health issues; Glasgow East Women's Aid, which supports women and children suffering from physical, emotional and financial abuse; and MEND, a project which targets obesity in young people in Barlanark.

There are two contenders for the Sport Award - Glasgow East Rugby Club, the first group of its kind in the north east of the city targetting men and women, and all age groups; and Budhill FA, which provides football coaching to children with learning difficulties.

The winners from next Thursday's event will join the winners from the other two heats later in the year at the glittering grand final in the City Chambers in December.