Meet the finalists of the magnificent seventh stage of the Glasgow Community Champion Awards.

More than 200 invited guests will gather this evening at Strathclyde Police’s Pitt Street HQ for the glittering ceremony.

Six more winners will be inducted into our hall of fame for local heroes, honouring their commitment to making a difference in the Central and West area of the city.

And writer/director Paddy Cunneen’s 23-strong community choir Sirens of Titan will end the evening on a high note by performing a pop-classical medley ranging from Rabbie Burns and Rachmaninov to Madness and David Bowie.

Once again our email inbox and postbag brimmed with nominations for remarkable groups, charities, initiatives and individuals living or working in the area stretching from the Merchant City to Jordanhill.

These were whittled down to a shortlist of 18 by a judging panel made up of Glasgow City Council’s new leader Gordon Matheson, Superintendent Fiona McPherson of Strathclyde Police, Group Commander Tony Waters of Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, George Fraser, representing Glasgow Community Planning Partnership, and Helen Smith, Communities Editor of the Evening Times.

All 60 winners from across the city will be invited to the gala final at the City Chambers in October, when the overall community heroes will be named.

TEAM AWARD

It measures just 70m in length by 12m wide, but ALDERMAN ROAD COMMUNITY GARDENS has become a flourishing hub. An offshoot of the Coach House Trust on Belmont Lane since 2007, the green space provides training and volunteering opportunities to those with mental health problems, learning disabilities or people with chaotic lifestyles.

TOWNHEAD VILLAGE HALL STEERING COMMITTEE has embarked on a £2.1 million fundraising campaign to establish a focal point for community activities. The team, set up in 2004, is determined to build a 950 sq m facility to deliver services, an all-weather pitch, a creche for up to 30 children, an IT learning centre and a community café.

Yorkhill Children’s Foundation nominated the work of the SCOTTISH QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY’S INFORMAL COMMITTEE, which has raised more than £19,000 for the charity arm of the children’s hospital. The committee gave up its spare time to organise a ball, regular fairs, karaoke and quiz nights, football competitions and sponsored events.

INDIVIDUAL AWARD

For the last 10 years, father-of-two KENNY GRAY has juggled his job as an English teacher with volunteering as a coach at Victoria Park Athletics Club at Scotstoun Stadium.

The 49-year-old coaches under-11 and under-13 teams in running, throwing and jumping disciplines.

ISABEL McCUE founded Theatre Nemo in 2000 after her son, John, committed suicide. The award-winning campaigning theatre company tackles mental health issues by hosting drama and art workshops in the community centres, hospitals and prisons.

ALMAS RAMDJEE has offered complementary therapies and yoga classes at Anderston Annexe since she began volunteering there in 2008. A spokesman for Glasgow Community Planning Partnership said: “Almas is a dedicated volunteer and even now having her own job still gives up time to ensure that local residents can participate in their community.”

PUBLIC SERVICE TEAM AWARD

GLASGOW STREET PASTORS’ 72-strong team work on a rota system to patrol the streets of the city centre on Saturday nights to help people in emotional or physical distress. Volunteering one in four Saturdays from 9pm until 4am, the pastors, ranging in age from 18 to 78-years-old, aim to help people made vulnerable through alcohol, drugs or illness, as well as homeless people unable or unwilling to find hostel accommodation.

ACHAMORE CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTRE works with families with children with additional needs to live fulfilling and happy lives. Based in Drumchapel Health Centre, the team of therapists, doctors, social workers and health visitors work across the west of the city to treat and support children with life-threatening conditions, while offering families advice, information and care.

A team at GLASGOW COMMUNITY AND SAFETY SERVICES has been shortlisted for their work in reducing crime and anti-social behaviour in Shipbank Lane (Paddy’s Market). GCSS co-ordinated a multi-agency group to make Saltmarket and Clydeside cleaner, safer and better through crime enforcement, prevention, intervention and communication with locals.

PUBLIC SERVICE INDIVIDUAL AWARD

The pupils of Hillhead High School wanted to recognise the efforts of their teacher PETER MURRAY. The 39-year-old principal teacher prepares pupils, who are disengaged in school, for the world of work.

Deputy head of the University of Strathclyde’s Law School PROFESSOR DONALD NICOLSON is the founder of the Law Clinic, which offers free legal advice and representation to people who cannot afford it. As an opponent to apartheid and a graduate of South Africa’s University of Cape Town, he was granted political asylum in the UK and went on to found law clinics at Bristol and Strathclyde universities. He also sits on the steering committee of LawWorks Scotland, promoting pro bono projects across the country.

Development officer BRONAGH GALLAGHER goes above and beyond the call of duty in encouraging voluntary organisations to work together.

The 30-year-old employee of West and Centre Voluntary Sector Network is described as “approachable, generous with her time, and a pleasure to work with”.

SENIOR AWARD

Hillhead resident JEAN CHARSLEY has used her retirement to throw herself into community action in the West of Glasgow and beyond. As a community councillor and member of the Local Area Committee and Central and West Community Reference Group, she has become involved in housing issues at a local and national level.

For more than 15 years freelance interpreter ANNIE MEAD has played a vital role in supporting Glasgow’s Chinese community. She acts as chairwoman of the Chinese Community Development Partnership, chairs Glasgow Chinese Women’s Association and was a driving force behind the Chinese Healthy Living Centre (CHLC) Steering Group project to break down barriers to accessing mainstream health services.

JOHN RODGERS has been involved in the work of the Boys’ Brigade for more than 70 years. The 80-year-old officer with the 108th Partick Company leads meetings every Wednesday evening in Thornwood Primary, in addition to organising football matches and playing an active role in the ex-members group. Brian Nelson, who nominated John, said: “He is one of the most caring and genuine people I have ever known.”

YOUNG AWARD

The pupils of NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL have notched up two nominations.

For the last two summers sixth year pupil EVA BLAND has volunteered in shanty towns of developing countries. Closer to home, she regularly gives up her free time working at a local soup kitchen, at a drop-in cafe of her church and last summer volunteered at St Margaret’s hospice in Yoker.

The 16 female members of THE S5 FUNDRAISING GROUP have helped build up their self-esteem by throwing themselves into personal challenges to raise funds for Chas (Children’s Hospice Association Scotland). They have organised activities including competitions, homebaking stalls and a disco for their schoolmates. Maths teacher Monica McLaughlin said: “They were so moved by the charities that they were raising money for that they overcame a number of personal challenges.”

The final nominee, CHILDLINE GLASGOW’S YOUNG PEOPLE’S GROUP SPLAT (Scottish Young People’s Listening and Advisory Team) work with staff and volunteers to raise awareness of issues such as bullying, mental health, alcohol problems, sexual health and online safety. The group, which has given presentations at the Scottish Parliament, inform ChildLine and policy makers on how to deal with issues that affect young people.

Lynn O’Hara said: “They are very motivated, enthusiastic, full of ideas, welcoming and fun and always up for a challenge.”