GLASGOW has a hidden army whose tireless dedication improves lives across the city. Now the Evening Times is launching a search for unsung community heroes.
The Glasgow Community Champion Awards is an initiative recognising the individuals and groups committed to making a difference.
We have teamed up with Glasgow City Council, Strathclyde Police, Strathclyde Fire & Rescue and Glasgow Community Planning Partnership.
HOW TO ENTER
THE East End is the first part of the city to feature in the awards and we're looking for heroes in Ruchazie, Garthamlock, Tollcross, Easterhouse, Baillieston, Mount Vernon, Garrowhill, Shettleston, Springboig and Barlanark.
There are six categories: Individual, Team, Public Services Individual, Public Services Team, Neighbour and Young Community Champions (aged 17 and under).
You can download an entry form at www.eveningtimes.co.uk. Alternatively, e-mail gayle.cooper@glasgow.newsquest.co.uk or call her on 0141 302 7319.
To request a form by post write to Glasgow Community Champion Awards, Evening Times, 200 Renfield Street, Glasgow G2 3QB.
Forms will also be available at police and fire stations, council offices and libraries.
For the first batch of Glasgow Community Awards, go to:
garthamlock.eveningtimes.co.uk
easterhouse.eveningtimes.co.uk
baillieston.eveningtimes.co.uk
shettleston.eveningtimes.co.uk
tollcross.eveningtimes.co.uk
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Over the next 12 months, the awards scheme will travel north, south, east and west to host high profile ceremonies crowning
six Community Champions in
10 different areas of the city.
All 60 local winners will then be invited to a gala final at the City Chambers next September, where we will crown the overall Glasgow Community Champions.
The first area to be featured is the East End, including Baillieston, Shettleston and Easterhouse.
The Evening Times and its partners will host an awards ceremony at the £12million arts and leisure complex The Bridge in Easterhouse on November 17.
We will honour a Champion in each of the six awards categories and residents will also be invited to meet the awards partners, find out more about local services or plans for their area, and make suggestions for improvements.
But we need you to tell us who your community champs are! You can nominate any deserving groups or individuals by filling in our entry form. The deadline for entries in this area is October 15.
We are looking for examples
of outstanding work, be it through improving housing or recreational facilities, cleaning up our environment, encouraging others into work or training, helping those less advantaged, or campaigning for improved services or safer communities.
Tell us the best examples of individuals who give up their time, incredible charities or local organisations, young people who have shown inspirational bravery or fund-raising, or neighbours who go the extra mile to help those around them.
Those in the public service realm will also be recognised.
Here are some community heroes doing incredible work in the area.
THE GLADIATOR PROGRAMME: Physical fun's name of the game
FROM tiny tots bopping with its 7ft Gladigator mascot, to the hundreds of teens training in their favourite sport, the Gladiator Programme is getting young people fit.
Formerly Easterhouse Amateur Weightlifting Club, the Ballieston-based charity began in a tenement in Kildermorie Road in 1986. It now works with schools and nurseries across Glasgow and the Clyde Valley.
The main thrust of the programme encourages kids in Greater Easterhouse to develop a passion for physical activity.
Founding member and chief executive Alex Richardson, 48, is committed to improving the lives of youngsters and giving them opportunities through play and sport.
He said: "Sport teaches you discipline, self-respect, respect for others, control - the same qualities you'd be looking for as an employer."
The Gladiator name was adopted in 1993 and it now employs 20 full-time and 12 part-time staff, in addition to 12 rolling work placements.
The programme is more than 90% self-funded through agreements with organisations such as the NHS, which pays for the Gladiator team to teach oral health in schools.
As well as combating childhood obesity, another major concern is breaking down territorial boundaries. It buses youngsters from all over Greater Easterhouse to its sports HQ at Auchinlea Road where they can forge friendships.
The charity has big plans for the future which include a huge "fun factory" for children. It also plans to begin working with special needs schools, in addition to teaming up with Culture and Sport Glasgow to roll out after-school activities.
The programme won the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service in 2005, and Alex received a Service to Sport award at the Glasgow Sportsperson of the Year ceremony in 2000.
The six-times Scottish champion weightlifter has also recently returned to training to compete in the veterans' section of the European Championships.
MAUREEN MORRIS: Hero with a global following
MAUREEN MORRIS has established a global reputation for being active in her local community.
The Wellhouse campaigner has been invited to speak in the United States and Australia on the work she has done over the last 30 years.
"At the one time I was involved in 11 committees and I was an office bearer in eight," said the widow, 57, who has three grown-up children and two grandchildren.
Maureen began her work in the voluntary sector after suffering depression following the birth of her first daughter. Helping out at a nursery planted a seed that would grow into a life-long commitment to improving the lives of people in her area.
"I struggle with depression and low self-esteem, but the more involved I become, the better I feel," she said.
Maureen is a former chairwoman of the Wellhouse Community Trust, which spearheaded the introduction of three important community facilities, including hubSports.
Among her other roles, she is treasurer of the Glasgow East Mental Health Service Users & Carers Forum, chairwoman of the Easter-house Festival Forum, on the committee of the Easterhouse Citizens' Advice Bureau and
secretary of the Well-house and Queenslie Community Council.
Her work was recognised at the Diamond Awards during the NHS's 60th anniversary celebrations in July.
"It's crucial for people to be involved in their local community," said Maureen.
"People can ensure they're getting the service they want rather than the person who is funding it deciding what they should get.
"It's by local people attending meetings that you're getting a say for your neighbours."
MAUREEN FERRIE: Supergran has a life of devotion
THIRTEEN-HOUR shifts would take their toll on anyone, but Maureen Ferrie thinks nothing of devoting her life to the project she set up almost 30 years ago.
The Garthamlock grandmother and husband Michael formed Greater Easterhouse Supporting Hands in 1979 to provide a social hub for people with physical and learning disabilities.
She's there from 9am until 10pm every day to ensure the centre in Redcastle Square is filled with laughter to brighten up the lives of more than 400 members.
"It's my project so it's like my baby - now I'm in here all day and night," says Maureen, 61, who was a finalist in our Scotswoman of the Year awards in 2001.
GESH began in Lochend Secondary School in 1979 with 12 members. It soon outgrew a second home in a scout hall in Cranhill to take over a council-owned sports centre in Garthamlock earmarked for demolition.
They transformed the sports hall in 1999 with £400,000 raised locally, giving the community a much-needed social venue.
GESH is open daily from 7am until 11pm, with activities including lunch clubs, dance classes, bingo and quiz nights, carpet bowls and snooker.
The project receives no funding and has only one paid admin employee - it relies solely on the generosity of more than 40 volunteers as well as its members' efforts.
Criminals on community service orders carry out cleaning and decoration, with many staying on after they have served their sentences.
It has taken around 150 members on exchanges to Nuremberg in Germany, and has a caravan in Ayr where members can take a holiday.
It is supported by donations from Vera and Gerald Weisfeld, The Body Shop and Lloyds TSB, while local pub The Roadhouse paid to have the driveway mono-blocked.
"It's all about the community spirit and it makes people feel worthwhile," says retired Maureen, who worked for 27 years as an after-school care co-ordinator in Easterhouse.
"We're not financially rich, but we're stable enough.
"Obviously I can't do this for the rest of my life, so what I'm going to try to do is put it in safe hands ... eventually!
"I don't want to give it up right now, but I want to make it so we can hand it over."
WE are looking for nominations in these categories:
INDIVIDUAL AWARD
These are for people who give up free time to make a significant contribution to other lives or to a community. This could be someone running a sports club, campaigning for better services, tackling health issues or cleaning up their area.
TEAM AWARD
This recognises community teams, organisations, charities or a group of volunteers. For example, any group fund-raising, organising community events or making the community a better or safer place.
PUBLIC SERVICES INDIVIDUAL AWARD
This will be for people working for
a public service who have gone above and beyond the call of duty.
It could be a teacher, social worker, housing officer, doctor, nurse or emergency services officer.
PUBLIC SERVICES TEAM AWARD
This is for a remarkable public service team.
NEIGHBOUR AWARD
Perhaps you know a local community star who goes out of
his or her way to help others?
YOUNG COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS
This is for people aged 17 and younger who have shown inspirational behaviour, perhaps through incredible fund-raising projects or acts of bravery. Nominations for young groups and individuals are welcome, and can include voluntary youth groups, uniformed organisations, community groups and schools.
Visit our Community Champions SponsorsGlasgow City Council
Visit Glasgow Community Planning Partnership Online
Strathclyde Police
Strathclyde Fire & Rescue
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