COUNCILLOR SUSAN AITKEN, LEADER OF GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL

“In my new role, I have been invited to some glitzy events, but none have been as inspiring as this one.

“The people and projects here tonight represent the best of Glasgow.

“Clean streets, green spaces and living things are not just window dressing in a city - they really matter.

“If people feel negative about the places they live in, they feel negative about themselves and that can lead to social and health problems.

“A living city is a better city. The people here tonight, from tiny chicken farmers to older residents passing on their skills to their neighbours, are what make Glasgow special.”

KERR MCCLUSKEY, 11, SINGER

“I’m really pleased to be here tonight because it’s such a nice event for Glasgow.

“I love singing, and have had some great opportunities thanks to my teacher, Angela McCallum.

“I want to dedicate my performance to my gran, Rita, who passed away last week. She was really proud of me and I know she thought it was great I was going to be singing in the People’s Palace.”

DR GRAHAM PATERSON, CITY BUILDING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

“City Building feels privileged to be part of Streets Ahead because we understand why working together with others in your community is so important.

“Last year, we supported 73 Glasgow communities through a range of initiatives. We’re delighted to be here tonight, celebrating this fantastic group of projects and people.”

BRIAN WINTER, GROUP MANAGER, SCOTTISH FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE

“Representing the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service at the Streets Ahead awards is one of the best bits of my job.

“It is fantastic to be able to meet the hardworking, selfless people of Glasgow and to hear about their projects, which make such a difference to communities across the city.”

REGAN NORWOOD, 14, KNIGHTSWOOD SECONDARY PUPIL

“We are really proud to be shortlisted in the Best Clean Up Campaign category.

“We have had a very positive response from people who live near the school and who like what we are doing with our litter-picks and clean-ups.

“They know Knightswood Secondary is a clean school, and that we do our bit for our community.”

HELEN NTABENI, FRIENDS OF KELVINDALE RAILWAY STATION

“It’s exciting and glamorous and unexpected to be here.

“We are very grateful to Streets Ahead for its support of our project and we are honoured to be here. We are feeling inspired.

“We have lots of plans to develop the railway station and look forward to making connections with some of the groups here tonight.

“There is a real synergy between the projects - it’s lovely to see the good work being done.”

JOHN NOBLE, PROJECT DIRECTOR OF SAVE OUR HEROES GARDEN

“I am a veteran with hidden wounds and through my involvement with a gardening project at Erskine, I realised the power of gardening to help people like me. I wanted to create something similar in my community and I have been amazed by the great support shown to us by our neighbours. It’s wonderful just to be here, in such beautiful surroundings, with so many great people.”

TONY CARLIN, CITY

CHARITABLE TRUST

“I’m delighted to represent the City Charitable Trust at such a fantastic celebration of remarkable groups and individuals.

“The people in this room tonight are the lifeblood of this city. The idea at the heart of Streets Ahead - that one person can change a street for the better, and one person on every street can change a city - is an ambitious one.

“But these Streets Ahead awards finalists and winners prove that it is possible - that by working together, we can make a difference.”

TRACEY O’LONE, CASTLECROFT RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

“We have been amazed by the way people have responded to our simple idea, of turning a derelict lane into something positive for the community.

“We’re really proud to be here tonight.”

ELLA DOCHERTY, 3, PUPIL AT ADELPHI NURSERY

“I like my nursery, it’s the best in the world.

“I am very, very, very happy that we won.”

SHOAIB KHAN, PRESIDENT OF AHMADIYYA MUSLIM YOUTH ASSOCIATION SCOTLAND

“Like the Streets Ahead campaign, we just want people to get involved in their communities.

“Our name means ‘love for all, hatred for none’ and that’s the message we should be spreading in the city.

“We’re delighted our young people are here tonight as it shows them their hard work is valued.

“It’s a fantastic campaign and we are very proud to be part of it.”