IT was the grandest of nights as Glasgow City Chambers was filled with cheers and applause from 400 people for the Evening Times Community Champions.

The Grand Final was a massive success, with the biggest cheer reserved for 92-year-old Kate Semple, who has spent the past seven decades helping others.

Kate campaigns for better services for the elderly and disabled in Yoker and she was crowned overall winner of the Senior AWARD.

The fourth annual event, hosted by Scots broadcaster Cathy MacDonald in the Banqueting Hall, saw 400 of the city's greatest groups, clubs, volunteers and community activists came together to celebrate each other's achievements.

And Kate, who opened her home in Yoker 18 years ago to run a craft club that produces charity cards, said: "There are a lot of people out there not getting recognition, but it is a good thing the Evening Times has taken this on because it may encourage others to do more."

She was presented with her award by Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Chief Officer Brian Sweeney.

The first winners to take to the stage were Drumchapel Caravan Project. They won the Team Award, presented by Evening Times' editor Tony Carlin, for their work to provide holidays for families on low incomes.

Margaret Nisbet, 59, from the project, said: "We are delighted to be here."

There were joint winners in the Individual Award, as Margaret Reid and Stuart Munro shared the podium.

Margaret, 59, from Airdrie, has helped raise more than £10,000 for local charities in Glasgow's East End.

Stuart, 36, of East Kilbride, is a teacher at Castlemilk High, who leads the Prince's Trust initiative, the school's residential programme, the humanitarian project in Uganda and the after- school and weekend Bike Club. They were presented with their award by Mr Carlin.

South East winners, the Jeely Piece Club, won the Public Service Award, presented by Jacqueline Norwood, assistant director of Neighbourhood Services at Glasgow Housing Association.

The Castlemilk group has been working in the community for 37 years, providing a safe, fun and friendly environment for kids of all ages, as well as learning and volunteering opportunities for adults.

The Uniform Services Award, presented by Deputy Lord Provost, Councillor Gerry Leonard, went to the Community Improvement Partnership.

A joint initiative between the GHA, Strathclyde Police and Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, it tackles anti-social behaviour and promotes fire safety.

The Young Award was divided into a group and individual winner and was presented by Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins.

Toonspeak Young Leaders, a group of six people in North Glasgow, who run drama workshops with other groups across the city, took home the group Young Award, and St Paul's High pupil Evanna Lynas was the individual winner. Laura Brierley, 20, from Toonspeak, said: "The awards give a lot of people a lot of confidence. If people are up for an award they know they are doing something right."

Evanna, 17, from Cardonald, helped St Paul's become the first school in Scotland to receive the certificate in Participative Democracy due to her public speaking, drive and determination.

Drumchapel L.I.F.E won the Health and Wellbeing Award for its projects to get people active. It has set up a Green Gym, 5K Runs and a community garden. Margaret Steven, 52, of Bearsden, said: "We weren't looking for it but other people must have thought we were deserving so that's nice."

The Sports Award went to Robert Fox, 22, from Croftfoot, who founded Croftfoot Football Club. The club now has more than 80 members.

The final award was the Lord Provost Award, presented to Glasgow Taxi Outing, which organises a fun day to Troon for more than 500 children with special needs.

matty.sutton@ eveningtimes.co.uk