THEY are the stars of the South and last night they celebrated in style.

The second heat of the 2017 Glasgow Community Champions Awards was a fantastic showcase of all the good work being done in the south of the city.

Supported by our generous partners Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Community Planning Partnership, Glasgow Housing Association, Scottish Fire and Rescue and Police Scotland, the event – at Pollok Community Centre – rewarded all the inspirational individuals and great groups making a difference to their communities.

The Team Award went to Glasgow South East Foodbank, which was the city’s first emergency food provider when it opened in 2011.

Since then, it has fed more than 28,500 people and its hardworking and dedicated volunteers go above and beyond to help people in need, often sourcing clothing, bedding and household items for desperate families.

Volunteer Norma Stewart said: “We are very excited to win. All the foodbanks in Glasgow do a great job though it’s sad we are needed at all.”

One-woman whirlwind Marilyn Cunningham won the Individual Award.

The expert organiser and activist helped to save Clyde Community Hall from closure and it is now the beating heart of Ibrox, with youth clubs, fitness sessions, charity nights and community events going on.

Marilyn said: “It was such a surprise even to be nominated – I’m proud of what I’ve done and I’m pleased I have been able to give something back to my community.”

Family Addiction Support Service, which runs support groups around the city for families coping with addiction, won the Public Services Award.

Family support worker Marlene Johnston said: “We’re honoured to win. Many of the families we support struggle with the stigma of addiction and isolation so this is fantastic recognition for them.”

Holyrood Secondary campus officer Constable Jacqueline Campbell won the Uniformed Services Award.

Her presence has reduced crime and anti-social behaviour call-outs in the area and she is a popular mentor to the Police Scotland Youth Volunteer programme. She organises crime prevention events, and pupils and parents often turn to her for advice on everything from bullying to internet safety. Recently, she saved the life of a young pupil who had collapsed in the school.

PC Campell said: “I love doing my job and being campus officer at Holyrood is the best thing I’ve done in 20 years of policing. To get an award for it is the icing on the cake.”

The Senior Award was presented to Violet Robertson, who runs Govanhill Stroke Club.

Hundreds of people have benefited from the club, which provides brain-stimulating games, entertainment and lunch to people recovering from the effects of stroke.

Violet, 83, who lives in Mount Florida, said: “I’m very surprised to win but it’s lovely to be recognised.”

Talented teenager Bethany Donaghy won the Young Award. Driven by a desire to show her teachers and fellow pupils the considerable health and wellbeing benefits of dance, Bethany changed people’s perceptions and persuaded her teachers to add dance to the curriculum. Castlemilk High is now known for its dance excellence.

Bethany has taught 60 pupils, organised and choreographed school dance shows, hosted a citywide dance competition and run community classes.

Her tearful gran Maureen Quinn, who encouraged Bethany to start dancing at the age of four, said: “We are all over the moon for Bethany – she has worked so hard, and everyone is proud of what she has achieved.”

The Macmillan at Glasgow Libraries South Team won the Health and Wellbeing Award. Its volunteers, who range in age from 20 to 70, are passionate about improving the lives of others in what is the first service of its kind in the UK.

They provide emotional support and information to people affected by cancer by taking the service out into the community. Since August 2012, the team has given 11,000 hours to the project, supporting more than 2300 people. Many of the volunteers have survived cancer and understand its impact, not just on the patient, but on his or her family too.

Volunteer Margaret Friel said: “I love being part of this service so I’m delighted it has won tonight. These awards remind you just how much goodness there is in the city.”

The Sport Award was presented to Our Lady of the Annunciation Football Club, set up to give the local primary schoolchildren a chance to play the game with their friends. It now boasts around 90 members and 20 volunteer coaches. Young player Luke McGraw, a centre midfielder, summed up his club’s delight. “We are very happy to have won!” he beamed.

Evening Times editor Graham Shields said: “Our second heat of the year was another uplifting affair and we are delighted to celebrate these wonderful ambassadors for Glasgow.”