Today we can announce the 25 finalists for the third stage of the Glasgow Community Champion Awards 2012.
The winners and runners-up will be announced at a red-hot ceremony tomorrow evening from 6pm at Polmadie Community Fire Station.
Everyone is welcome to attend the free event at which another eight trophies will be handed out to Glasgow's unsung heroes.
It's a chance to meet the nominees and chat to representatives from the awards partners; Strathclyde Police, Strathclyde Fire & Rescue, Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Community Planning Partnership, GHA and the Evening Times.
The eight winners from the South East – along with winners from four other events held across the city – will be invited to the grand final at the City Chambers in December.
TEAM AWARD
The volunteers who run OATLANDS COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTRE refused to let flood damage close their hub.
They clubbed together to run activities five days a week, including creative crafts, discos and games for young people, stress classes for adults, sign language lessons and an OAPs' lunch club.
Although still in its infancy, CASTLEMILK (ARDENGLEN) YOUTH DIVERSIONARY PROGRAMME is already changing the lives of young people in Castlemilk.
The joint initiative, launched in January by Ardenglen and North View housing associations, together with A&M Training, gives football and dance coaching to around 100 youngsters aged 6-25 years who might otherwise be at risk of anti-social behaviour.
COSGROVE CARE'S SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT TEAM provides people with learning disabilities the opportunity to gain work experience, training opportunities and employment.
The team works on building confidence, motivation, social inclusion and self-esteem.
In addition to running four community gardens, the eco warriors of URBAN ROOTS VOLUNTEER GROUP have taken over the management of Malls Mire woodland in Toryglen and are transforming it into an accessible beauty spot.
The environmental charity attracts a small army of volunteers who lend their support to the popular Blossom Festival family day.
INDIVIDUAL AWARD
Skills and learning for work teacher STUART MUNRO teaches information technology, Prince's Trust qualifications and Higher Personal Development at Castlemilk High School.
Stuart regularly works on projects such as an Apprentice-style business contest, outdoors challenges at Gairloch, organising visits to Uganda and fundraising events for charities.
A community campaigner for more than a decade, BESSIE ANDERSON is chairperson and volunteer therapist at the Castlemilk Relaxation Centre. She also volunteers for Castlemilk Timebank.
RIZWANNA SAEED organises the fitness classes and therapy sessions of The Feel Good Women's Group, which encourages women from ethnic minorities to get active in a safe environment.
PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD
Social work technician ALAN DUNCAN works closely with Strathclyde Fire & Rescue to fit fire alarms into the homes of vulnerable people.
Through his role in Dementia Care in the Gorbals, he has arranged for more than 600 Home Fire Safety Visits and, while working with the Sensory Impairment Team at Partick, he has fitted more than 350 specialist alarms for deaf residents.
Pupil support assistant IRENE WALLACE has created a strong link between the pupils of St Bride's Primary and the Govanhill community, particularly newcomers from Slovakia and Eastern Europe.
She sources clothing for those in need, supports children with personal issues, and helps those new to English overcome the language barrier.
The JEELY PIECE CLUB provides a safe, fun and friendly environment for kids aged from birth to 12 years old.
Over the 37 years of its existence, the Castlemilk club has fostered strong links with local parents and carers who rely on its affordable childcare services.
Music teacher MARIA KELLY received no fewer than 11 testimonials from former pupils and parents supporting her nomination.
Mrs Kelly is credited with turning around the music department at Shawlands Academy since joining from St Paul's High School in Pollok.
UNIFORM SERVICES AWARD
Community firefighter BRIAN McCRACKEN has been described as a diligent and enthusiastic officer who has fostered good links with the community in the South East of Glasgow.
Through his role at Kilbirnie House Safety Centre, he carries out Home Fire Safety Visits to "high risk" households and gives safety talks to local groups in Govanhill.
FIONA HERRIOT is the community safety co-ordinator – and the "familiar face" – of Strathclyde Fire & Rescue in the South Glasgow area.
Her Cooksafe initiative has helped reduce domestic kitchen fires, while she goes above and beyond the call of duty in identifying opportunities for partnership working.
SENIOR AWARD
Whether it is handling a call about a burst pipe, housing problems, or carrying out a clean up in the local area, DOROTHY DENHAM is at the heart of the Laurieston community.
Councillor James Scanlon said: "I see her as the eyes and ears of the Laurieston area."
Between them, FLORENCE GOUDIE and GINA GREG have clocked up more than 90 years of service to the Girls' Brigade. Through their work at the Castlemilk West Parish 74B branch they offer girls a safe, secure environment to develop personally and socially. They have been nominated as a "thank you" ahead of their retirement.
GORBALITES 50+ is a community club that provides food and entertainment every Monday and Wednesday for the unemployed, redundant and retired. The group, which has more than 140 members, also organises therapies like massages, manicures, group holidays and days out.
YOUNG AWARD
Castlemilk High School S5 pupil CHARLES LANG supports S1 pupils through a "Buddy" programme, is captain of the football team, helped to develop a local radio station and is vice captain of the school pupil council.
JOHN GILLIES is committed to giving young people a voice in the decisions that affect them. A member of the Scottish Youth Parliament for Glasgow Cathcart, he is also vice-chair of Glasgow Youth Council and member of the Langside and Linn Community Planning Partnership.
The P2 pupils of ST MIRIN'S PRIMARY SCHOOL have raised more than £7000 for the Children's Hospice Association Scotland since fundraising began in 1997, organising activities such as sponsored spells, read-a-thons and book events.
One of its pupils, Niall Cochran, lost his battle with brain cancer in the children's hospice in August 2011.
HEALTH AND WELLBEING AWARD
The HELP YOURSELF GROW EXPERIENCE is a project that gives social, horticulture and cooking skills to people with learning disabilities. Through sowing, growing, tending and harvesting their crops, they are working towards an award from the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society.
Since it was established in September 2008, CASTLEMILK CRAFT CAFE has helped to alleviate social isolation and depression in elderly tenants through craft and creative activities.
Members make and sell their work at the cafe, which operates four days a week.
THE SATURDAY CAFE & ASSOCIATED CLUBS has a programme of three clubs a week that offer sport, dance, drama and arts to young people aged 5-25 years who have learning or physical disabilities.
Around 50 young people enjoy nine hours of activity every week, which also gives respite to their carers.
SPORT AWARD
The energetic members of D's DANCERS have represented Castlemilk all over Britain – and fundraise to pay for travel to freestyle dance competitions and events.
The group, made up of girls aged 7-16 years-old, are taught by dance instructor Denise Wallace.
CASTLEMILK COMMUNITY FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT GROUP is transforming an unused building into a community facility for use by local teams and groups.
The Barlia centre now features themed art murals, which have reduced graffiti, and the clubhouse will be used as a meeting place and trophy store.
Since the age of 14, ROBERT FOX has campaigned for the upgrade of local playing fields known as The Plots so that young people in Croftfoot have a safe place to play football.
He founded Croftfoot United Football Club, achieved his SFA coaching qualifications, and now coaches around 80 youngsters.
maureen.ellis@ eveningtimes.co.uk
