THE Evening Times can today reveal the finalists in the second stage of this year's Glasgow Community Champion Awards.

And you will be able to meet the shortlisted teams and individuals, as well as our award partners, when the winners and runners-up from the north of the city are named on Wednesday evening.

A gala ceremony will be held at the newly-refurbished Maryhill Burgh Halls on Gairbraid Avenue and that will mean a chance for the public to have a sneak peek ahead of the official reopening of the 134-year-old building, which is on April 28.

Built in the French Renaissance style to a design by Glasgow architect Duncan McNaughtan, a £9.2million transformation means the halls now have public meeting spaces, a cafe, offices and recording studio.

We received more than 70 online, e-mail and postal nominations for local heroes living and working in the area stretching from Maryhill to Robroyston, and Summerston to Millerston.

The awards, launched in October 2008, are a partnership between Glasgow City Council, Strathclyde Police, Strathclyde Fire & Rescue, Glasgow Community Planning Partnership, the Evening Times and Glasgow Housing Association.

All winners from five events held across Glasgow will be invited to the grand final at the City Chambers in December.

TEAM AWARD

A group of community activists have transformed the derelict LAMBHILL STABLES into a thriving hub of social activity – and they refuse to be beaten by the fire-raisers who have targeted the facility.

A fleet of some 200 decorated vehicles take part in the GLASGOW TAXIS OUTING FUND FOR SICK CHILDREN, which for the last 67 years has transported children with special needs to Troon.

The CARETAKERS AND ESTATE WARDENS of Queen's Cross Housing Association proved a force to be reckoned with during the January storms, going far above and beyond their regular duties of environmental maintenance, graffiti removal, clearing up litter and minor repairs.

INDIVIDUAL AWARD

GARRY PATRICK, a housing activist for more than 30 years, is a founder member of Summerston Acre Local Housing Organisation and volunteers his time to deliver high quality housing to residents in the north of the city

Glasgow University student ROISIN LYLE COLLINS is a member of Friends Of The Earth Scotland. She secured a grant of £6600 to lead nine students on a 10-week environmental project to assess recycling, energy consumption, cycling schemes and biodiversity.

Businessman and fundraiser FREDDIE KING has been a champion of the Marie Curie Hospice for five consecutive years, trekking to Jordan, helping to organise the Great Daffodil Ball and setting up a dedicated maintenance support at the hospice.

PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD

The ECO DRAMA project has provided educational shows and workshops to 80 primary schools on topics such as recycling, energy, transport and food. It has raised awareness of greener living and global issues with pupils and teachers, particularly in the north of Glasgow.

THE WYNDFORD EPIC partnership initiative has reclaimed a piece of open land once used for drinking and anti-social behaviour to improve the quality of life for Wyndford residents.

The group of 13 young people who make up LOVE MILTON created a multi-purpose community garden on a space of derelict land. It began as an activity for their Prince's Trust project. That is now completed, but they still volunteer on the site and encourage other residents to get involved.

Saracen Primary head teacher EVELYN GIBSON joined the school in 1983 and has strived to include the wider community through family weeks, dance clubs, football and fundraising events.

UNIFORM SERVICES AWARD

Communities inspector ANN HUGHES has made a significant impact on issues identified by the community since joining Maryhill Police Office last year.

She has established links with local housing associations, business, addiction services and, in particular, strives to address the problems faced by ethnic minorities.

Constable GERALD STARKEY has been a community officer covering Maryhill and Kelvin since 1997. He works closely with local people to keep them safe and is also a role model for more junior officers.

OPERATION MOSAIC was a task force set up by Maryhill and Saracen sub-division last June to tackle violent crime, anti-social behaviour, drug misuse, and disorder. Through repeatedly targeting the individuals causing most problems, they have helped reduce serious assaults by 19%, robberies by 7% and reports of anti-social behaviour by 15%.

SENIOR AWARD

CHARLIE LUNN has dedicated more than two decades to the founding and running of Spire View Housing Association, which serves the people of Royston.

Despite being almost 80, GEORGE BUIST continues to serve on the Maryhill Community Council and is helping to create a residents' association. He was instrumental in preventing the Ledgowan Hall from closing and in the campaign for the refurbishment of Maryhill Burgh Halls.

As chairman of the Springburn Alive & Kicking Project, WILF CLARKE devotes three days a week to overseeing the running of this project for the elderly, disabled and lonely. Wilf, who is 90, has been involved with the project for 25 years and contributed to its winning the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service in 2008.

YOUNG AWARD

The ART EXHIBITION GROUP of John Paul Academy Learning Community has used its creative skills to devise an anti-knife crime presentation to assist campus officer Constable Peter Glancey. The group presented images, stories and video clips to primary school children.

ROBYN HYSLOP works with people aged 3-14 in Summerston Youth Forum to get them involved in team games, volunteering or providing support to others. She also fundraises through organising back-packing and requesting donations from local businesses.

The young leaders of TOONSPEAK YOUNG PEOPLE'S THEATRE are a group of six youngsters aged 15-20 who run free drama workshops, rising to the challenge of creating work for Roma youngsters who spoke little English.

HEALTH AND WELL-BEING AWARD

Maryhill project COMMON WHEEL offers training in bike recycling and repair to those recovering from mental health problems. It allows people struggling to take part in daily life to be a part of a business and builds their self-confidence.

NORTH GLASGOW COMMUNITY DRAMA GROUP highlights the issues surrounding Hepatitis C and addictions through its self-devised play, See You, See Me – Hep C. Set up in partnership with addiction services across the north of the city, it aims to reduce the stigma and social ignorance surrounding hepatitis C.

Pupil committees in ST CATHERINE'S PRIMARY plan, organise and lead events to promote health, well-being and finance. Through open mornings, Money Mondays, Fairtrade events and parents' nights, the school aims to improve mental, emotional, social and physical well-being.

SPORTS AWARD

PE teacher JAMES COLL has started a resurgence in football at John Paul Academy. In addition to creating a Pro Soccer Academy in the school and training the first team twice a week in his own time, he coaches at youth level for the Scottish FA and plays junior football with Ashfield.

Now in its seventh year, the NORTH GLASGOW 5K is a family-friendly event aiming to improve health, fitness and community cohesion. Hundreds of locals take part in the event organised by North Glasgow Healthy Living Centre.

A&M TRAINING delivers free football and dance activities for people aged 6-25, many of whom are vulnerable to or at risk of becoming involved in anti-social behavior or gang membership. It operates at 20 sites, nine of which are in north Glasgow.

Milton Judo Club chairman TAM BROWN has been involved in playing, coaching and officiating judo for almost 35 years. He has coached a number of players to national standard and will officiate at this summer's London Paralympics.