Meet the stars of the south - who will be our Community Champions?

The Evening Times awards, supported by our generous partners Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Community Planning Partnership, Glasgow Housing Association, Scottish Fire and Rescue and Police Scotland, reward the heroic individuals and hardworking groups who make life in the city better for all.

After weeks of nominations, our judging panel – made up of representatives from all of our partners – has agreed on a shortlist, with the winners to be announced on June 21.

Battling it out for the Team Award are Galgael, the boat-building charity transforming lives in Govan, providing a safe harbour for those whose lives have been battered by storms such as unemployment, depression or addiction; The Mount befriending service, working tirelessly to help older people in Mount Florida to beat isolation and loneliness; and Macmillan @ Glasgow Libraries, a team of passionate volunteers providing emotional support and information to people affected by cancer across the south of the city.

Harry Singh, Frank Gilroy and Margaret Forrest are all contenders for the Individual Award.

Harry’s Hardware store on Paisley Road West is more than just a shop – he is known to everyone as a kind and caring man who goes the extra mile to help people in need.

“He is extremely humble - he is the glue holding the community together,” says his neighbour, Victoria MacMaster, who nominated him. “This area would not be the same without him.”

Physiotherapist Frank Gilroy started fundraising for The Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice four years ago, shortly after the death of his wife, who had cancer.

He set up a fitness fundraising team called Cy-Run, which has pledged to raise £125,000 for the hospice.

He was nominated by hospice chief executive Rhona Baillie who said: “By running, cycling and a host of other fitness activities they have so far raised more than £111,000 and made a substantial impact on raising the profile of the hospice around the country.

“Frank is a wonderful personality, unstinting in his support and never wavering from his pledge to raise vital funds for the hospice.”

Margaret Forrest has also been raising money for the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice for 36 years, helping to lay the foundations for what was to become the hospice by getting initial fundraising efforts off the ground.

Rhona Baillie added: “Margaret is exceptional. She has been a stalwart of our team of nearly 600 volunteers. Without her, the hospice couldn't have achieved so much for so many patients and families.”

James Dickie, Anne Mcleod and Janet O’Neill are contenders for the Senior Award.

Hardworking James is chairman of both Toryglen community council and Aitkenhead crime prevention panel, a member of the local south area licensing forum and the health care partnership forum and the elected member of Southside area committee.

His dedication to his community over the past 30 years prompted his neighbours to nominate him for the award.

Anne runs the Shawbank senior citizens centre, helping in the kitchen, working as treasurer and convenor and generally going the extra mile for the people who use the centre.

Skilful needlewoman Janet is a champion fundraiser, who has raised tens of thousands of pounds for charity by making and selling curtains, peg bags, tartan cushion covers and more.

She also volunteers for the Accord Hospice shop in Paisley and has supported an assortment of other charities, including the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice and Nazareth House in Cardonald.

Janet was nominated by her daughter Susan Wilson, who said: “Everyone loves my mum, and knows her as a caring, hardworking, compassionate woman.

“She has never asked for recognition as she is happy knowing that she has made some difference to other people's lives.”

The Young Award will be presented to one of the four following inspiring individuals - Martin Gallacher, Modar Emkidh, Abdul Wahab Khan and Marwa Daher.

Sixteen-year-old Martin does not let the fact he suffers from a rare heart condition hold him back. The kind-hearted teenager is dedicated to helping others through a range of community initiatives, despite his own personal heartache – his mother died when he was 10 and sadly, his father died after battling cancer last year.

Modar came to Glasgow from Syria two years ago, unable to speak English. He became a fantastic community volunteer and mentor, is a popular role model at school, and plans to study medicine at university.

Abdul is 13, and an exceptional young speaker and role model, helping out at Active Life and inspiring younger members to get involved.

Marwa moved to Glasgow from Jordan three years ago and has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the situation in Syria.

She helps out at her local church, is part of the Youth Philanthropy Initiative and recently met with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to discuss what can be done regarding the crisis in Syria.

The Public Service Award finalists are Galgael stalwart Gehan Macleod, a caring and passionate worker who is programme manager at the boat-building charity; the David Cargill Centre, whose popular lunch club helds elderly people meet up with friends and escape from feeling isolated at home; volunteering powerhouse Melanie O’Donnell, from Castlemilk, and a gentleman known to his neighbours only as George, who keeps the streets of Pollokshaws clean and tidy, without looking for reward or recognition.

The David Cargill Centre has also been shortlisted for the Health and Wellbeing Award, alongside Cassiltoun Housing Association, whose members have worked tirelessly to transform the Castlemilk Park woodlands from a no-go area into a much-loved community hub; and the Feel Good Women’s Group Swimming Group who run a free hour-long fitness class and healthy lunch for females in the Govanhill.

The three contenders for the Sport Award are Govanhill Baths’ Fishing Club, a brilliant intergenerational project for men; WeePlay Football, which gives kids a chance to learn how to play football in a fun, safe environment, and Street League, based in Toryglen, which encourages children to get involved in sport.

The winners from this heat will be announced on June 21, and will go through to the grand final at the City Chambers in December.