It’s time to meet the fantastic finalists for the Evening Times Community Champions north west heat.

The 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 October 5.

Battling it out for the Team Award are 3D Drumchapel Volunteers, Pride House Glasgow Volunteer Team, Maryhill Integration Network and the Youth Led Committee of Glasgow Youth Arts Hub.

Pride House Glasgow Volunteer Team is a successful project, incorporating a pop-up human rights café and venue.

Maryhill Integration Network creates opportunities for people from asylum seeker, refugee, BME, migrant and local communities to meet, share experiences, create bonds and friendships and improve their lives.

The Youth Led Committee of Glasgow Youth Arts Hub helps disadvantaged people connect with the arts, while 3D Drumchapel Volunteers has been supporting children and families in the area for 20 years.

The Individual Award finalists are campaigner Catherine Hughes, who has fought to keep Glasgow Homeopathic Hospital open; Jane Hook, who runs a support organisation for more than 70 families with children with disabilities or additional support needs; Nicola McCuaig, who inspires young women in her community to get involved in netball; and champion volunteer and much-loved community stalwart Santino (Sonny) Sunda.

The contenders for the Public Service Award are Whiteinch Centre CAB advisor Lynda Hill, Drumchapel High School Wider Achievement Programme and Notre Dame High School teacher Patrick Hegarty.

The Uniform Services Award will be presented to one of the following finalists – Maryhill community police officer, PC Ben Green, who runs a Police Beat Surgery for members of the public to chat to local officers in an informal environment; Operation Induna, a team of five officers tacking drug-dealing and violent crime in the Possilpark area; brave PC John Crawford, who dived into the freezing waters of Kelvin Loch to try to save a drowning man; or dedicated police officer and champion fundraiser PC Safdar Sadiq, who has raised more than £45,000 for worthwhile causes.

The finalists for the Senior Award are Robert Alston, Margaret Watt and Jackie Donaldson.

Those who know him describe Robert as a ‘one-man community anchor’ – particularly appropriate as he now combines his roles on Woodside Community Council, Hillhead Area Partnership and local music group with a new role as volunteer lock keeper with Scottish Canals.

Garnethill community activist Margaret Watt is a popular member of Garnethill Community Council she founded FROGGS (Friends of Garnethill Green Spaces) this year.

Jackie Donaldson is the much-loved volunteer receptionist at Community Central Hall in Maryhill.

Nursery gymnastics coach, 15-year-old Alistair Kemley; dedicated youth volunteer 18-year-old Chelsea Lee; inspirational youth project Glasgow Girls Club: 400 Million Girls, which creates opportunities for girls from low income backgrounds; DRC Generations Peer Mentor Group; and Royston Youth Action will be fighting it out for the Young Award.

The Health and Wellbeing Award finalists are The NHS Centre for Integrative Care inpatient ward, which delivers person-centred, holistic care to a variety of patients; Fortune Works, ENABLE’s social enterprise project for people with learning disabilities; bike recycling project Glasgow Bike Station and LGBT Youth Scotland.

The Sports Award contenders are Pride House Glasgow Volunteer Team, which receives its second shortlist place; North Kelvin Sports Development Group; and Salle Rollo Fencing Club.

Pride House is a venue welcoming LGBTI athletes, fans, and their allies during international sporting events. It has quickly become a place of refuge for athletes who are seeking to escape persecution in their own nations, and somewhere to critically examine human rights.

North Kelvin Sports Development Group grew out of a pub football team and now offers inclusive sporting opportunities for all, including youth teams, community coaching sessions, team tournaments and holiday camps.

Evening Times editor Graham Shields said: “As always, judges faced a difficult choice when it came to compiling the shortlist as the standard of entries has been so high.

“Our finalists in the north west are fantastic examples of inspiring individuals and hardworking groups and the awards night looks set to be a great celebration.”

The winners from this heat will be announced on October 5, and will go through to the grand final at the City Chambers in December.