Robert Melvin and Flora Pagan, both 82, were joint winners in the Senior Award category at the South West Community Champion Awards at Pollok Community Centre.

Cheers and applause greeted them as they made their way to the stage to collect their awards at the glittering ceremony.

It was a chance to recognise the unsung heroes in our community and allow them to take centre stage.

Robert, from Giffnock, who has been working for the community for decades, looking after the Govan Old Church and the Historic Stones, said: "I am chuffed, not for myself but for the people of Govan that I represent in the church.

"I think the awards are very worthwhile and it is gratifying to see so many people here."

Flora is vice-chairwoman of Govan Community Council, social convenor of Govan Reminiscence, board member of Govan Workspace and a member of Govan Fair.

She said: "I don't do things for recognition, I do it because I want to do them.

"I wouldn't have thought anything of it, but obviously someone thinks I have done something right. It is lovely to think you have done something right."

The South West is the fifth event in the fourth series of Community Champion Awards.

The awards recognised groups and individuals who have made an outstanding contribution from Govan right up the Darnley areas.

Winners will go on to be finalists for the grand final ceremony, to be held at the City Chambers in December.

Evening Times editor Tony Carlin said Community Champions was about "the people who make this city great."

He added: "It offers an opportunity to honour and thank those individuals and groups who have worked to make this community a better place to live, work and play."

Craigton Residents Action Group were presented with the Team Award.

The group campaigned and raised money for two projects – The Barlogan Community Garden, which transformed a derelict fly tipping hot spot, and the Craigton School Play Area, built on a former redundant grassed area at the local primary school.

Colin Williamson, 52, from Craigton Residents Action Group, said: "I think the awards are good for promotion and trying to get people involved and generating a community spirit."

The Individual Award went to Patricia Currie, who works hard to keep Park Villa Football Development group going.

Unfortunately Patricia could not make the awards, so secretary of the group, Stephen Barrie, and young members of the club collected it on her behalf.

Patricia offers support to coaches, volunteers, players and parents at the club which was set up to provide an activities for young people.

Stephen, 30, from Govan, said: "Patricia was very honoured and excited to be nominated."

Glasgow Housing Association employee Lesley McGregor won the Public Service Award for her work to resolve community issues.

She has been involved in more than 60 projects in the last year and has secured £1million in funding for the improvement of open spaces and amenities.

Lesley, 46, of Kilbarchan, said she was "over the moon" to win an award, and added: "I think it is very important to recognise people who work very hard for Glasgow."

Strathclyde Police Glasgow South and East Renfrewshire Division Safer Communities Unit took the Uniform Services Award for their work on crime prevention, vulnerable victims, partnership working, counter terrorism, race and violence.

Based at Govan police station, the initiative was put in place to create positive outcomes on crime related issues.

Safer Communities Inspector Jim Creelman said: "I am absolutely delighted and the award will take pride of place in our office."

The Young Award was presented to Evanna Lynas, a sixth-year pupil at St Paul's High School in Pollok. Evanna is a member of the Scottish Youth Parliament, Glasgow Youth Council, Yspeak, the Young Person's Community Reference Group for South West Glasgow, and was responsible for St Paul's becoming the first school in Scotland to be accredited with the certificate in Participative Democracy.

She also carried the Olympic torch in Glasgow this summer.

Evanna, 17, from Cardonald, said: "This has just been such an exciting year for me - carrying the Olympic Torch, and now this!

"And I've loved seeing what all the other people have done in their communities.

"You don't know about everyone's else's achievements until there's something like this on."

Rainbow Care Centre won the Health and Wellbeing Award for providing their community based day-care, support and befriending service for vulnerable and elderly people for 22 years.

Alison Anderson, 52, volunteer co-ordinator at the centre, said it was a great honour to be at the event and added: "It is a good event for the community and for people to mix and get to know people and other organisations."

The Sport Award went to Pollok United Soccer Academy, for their work fostering young talent and involving local children in football.

The club, which was represented at the awards by young members from the different age group teams, has also raised £180,000 towards the transformation of the derelict pitches at Corkerhill into a state-of-the-art facility.

Harry Fenion, 44, coach and founding member at the Academy, added: "Considering we only started a year ago we have moved from strength to strength and this is one of the best achievements we have done as a club."

matty.sutton@eveningtimes.co.uk