IT WAS a night that started with red-hot drama ...

and ended with every- one on their feet.

As guests gathered at Castlemilk Community Fire Station an ear- splitting alarm saw dozens of the station's crew piling into appliances to respond to an emergency call-out.

The newly-revamped facility on Raithburn Avenue is a bricks and mortar example of what working with local communities can achieve. The redevelopment of the station also involved bringing a neglected football pitch back into use for the community.

It is now regularly used by members of TeenZone Youth Committee, whose close work with the Castlemilk fire crews earned them a finalist place in the Uniform Services category.

Station commander John Young said the collaboration had brought about a 50% reduction in secondary fires, which involve rubbish or wastegrounds.

He said: "Young people are the future. They are Castlemilk."

After host and Evening Times editor Tony Carlin invited everyone to take their seats, and introduced the all-important Community Champions foot-stomping drumroll, the first trophies and runner-up certificates across eight categories were awarded.

Local funeral director Cameron Duncan proved a popular runner-up in the Individual prize for his voluntary work with the Lost Lives project and Castlemilk Family Day.

His wife, Linda, said: "He devotes a lot of time to Castlemilk, spending a lot of time in the evenings at meetings, motivating, helping and advising the group and working towards making things happen. He's very active."

Castlemilk grandmother Drina Anderson received a huge cheer as she collect a runner-up certificate in the Public Service Award category.

After retiring only a fortnight ago from the Indigo Childcare Group after 18 years, she pledged to continue her voluntary work.

Members of the Osbourne Academy of Irish Dance threatened to raise the roof as their photo was shown among the three finalists in the Sport category.

Principal teacher Jordan Osbourne set up the company with her sisters, Jodie and Jocelyn, after she finished touring the globe with Riverdance.

Similarly, it was a proud moment for Castlemilk grandmother Anne Buchanan, 49, as she watched eight-year-old grandson Jack McBride, a P4 pupil of Castleton Primary School, pick up a finalist certificate in the Sport section, for the school's Badminton Team.

Margaret Keenan, 70, convener of Senior finalists the White Heather Club, has been with the group for 27 of its 56 years.

Janet Brown, meanwhile, has volunteered at The Haven Coffee Shop, at Cathcart Old Parish Church, a finalist in the Team award, since it was founded 15 years ago.

She said: "I was just a member of the church and I got roped in like everybody else. It's good for the community."

The four-strong finalists in contention for the Young category were the last to step into the spotlight.

Caroline McKinlay, a 13-year-old, S2 pupil at Castlemilk High, organised Friday afternoon games for her peers in conjunction with her teachers.

In her vote of thanks, Lord Provost Sadie Docherty summed up the electric atmosphere, saying: "I've been in post a year so I've come full circle and tonight has been the best Community Champion Awards that I've ever been to.

"It's been a fantastic night and I've thoroughly enjoyed it."

Singer Stephen McLaughlin, 15, from Cambuslang, brought the night to a sensational end as he was given a standing ovation for each of his two songs, Nessun Dorma and 4 Non Blondes' What's Up, prompting host Tony Carlin to ask: "Who needs Robbie Williams?"

All last night's winners – together with the winners from four other events across the city – will attend a grand final at the City Chambers in December.

maureen.ellis@ eveningtimes.co.uk