Night of the Champs!

More than 400 invited guests and winners will attend The Grand Final at the City Chambers of our year-long hunt to find the city's unsung heroes.

When the Evening Times launched this year's Community Champions, we were overwhelmed by the response.

And after long deliberations by representatives from the Evening Times, as well as our partners Glasgow Housing Association, Glasgow City Council, Strathclyde Police, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue and Glasgow Community Planning Partnership, we managed to select the finalists who go above and beyond for others.

Tony Carlin, Evening Times' editor, said: "Each of the 260 groups and individuals nominated for this year's awards has shown outstanding commitment to their communities.

"Tonight we will salute those who have stood out that little bit more. But, in the end, they all deserve to be winners."

TEAM AWARD

Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Volunteers from The Bridge In Easterhouse is one of the five finalists in this category. They provide a listening ear, as well as support and advice for cancer patients.

Another team to make it to the final is Craigton Residents' Action Group, which 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.

Glasgow Taxi Outing Fund, Cosgrove Cares Supported Employment Team and Drumchapel Caravan Project are the other finalists.

INDIVIDUAL AWARD

This award aims to recognise someone who gives up time to help others in the community.

Margaret Reid is a catering assistant at Dewars in London Road by day, but after hours she devotes her time to volunteering. She has raised more than £10,000 for charities.

Freddie King's work has raised thousands of pounds in donations for the Marie Curie Hospice. In 2010, he trekked the Jordanian desert for the Evening Times-backed Big Build Appeal to raise funds for a new hospice.

Stuart Munro, Castlemilk High information technology teacher, is also in the running, along with Sharon Colvin and Patricia Currie.

Stuart works on projects such as outdoors challenges at Gairloch, organising visits to Uganda and fundraising events for charities.

PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD

Margaret Layden, Eco Drama, Love Milton and the Jeely Piece Club made the shortlist.

Margaret runs Playbusters, which provides local jobs and volunteering opportunities.

The Woodside Youth Project, which is part of Queen's Cross Housing Association and helps local young people take up new activities, including graffiti art, cookery and photography classes, is also in the running.

Lesley McGregor, a Glasgow Housing Association worker is the last finalist in this category.

UNIFORM SERVICES AWARD

This is a new category and among those nominated is the Community Improvement Partnership, which has seen police officers and fire and rescue staff seconded to work with GHA employees to tackle anti-social behaviour and fire safety.

Others nominated are:

l Fiona Herriot, the Strathclyde Fire and Rescue community safety co-ordinator for the South Side of the city.

l And CSI, the crime scene investigation project involving Drumchapel High, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue and Strathclyde Police, which helps children learn science skills.

SENIOR AWARD

There is plenty of energy in these finalists.

Tommy Healy is in his 70s, but has spent 50 years volunteering, mostly at local churches, including St Luke's and Gallowgate, as well as youth project PEEK. Charlie Lunn has dedicated more than two decades to the founding and running of Spire View Housing Association in Royston.

Between them, Florence Goudie and Gina Greg have clocked up more than 90 years of service to the Girls' Brigade at the Castlemilk West Parish 74B branch.

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

Robert, from Giffnock, who has been working for the community for decades, looking after Govan Old Parish Church and its historic stones.

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

Kate Semple, 92, and Eric Flack, 72, the joint Senior Award winners from the West and Central Awards, are also in the running.

YOUNG AWARD

This is aimed at under-17s and the finalists are:

l The P2 pupils of St Mirin's Primary have raised more than £7000 for the children's Hospice Association Scotland since fundraising began in 1997.

l The leaders of Toonspeak Young People's Theatre are a group of six aged 15-20 who run free drama workshops.

l Hillhead High Charities Committee, which has raised cash for Radio Lollipop and Children In Need, and Jordanhill School's sixth year charities committee, which raised £19,313 for young carers, are also among the finalists for the award.

Also nominated is Evanna Lynas, a sixth year pupil at St Paul's High, Pollok, who is a prominent member of the Scottish Young Parliament and a member of the Glasgow Youth Council.

Calum Baird has also made the final for his youth work with Dennistoun-based Reidvale Adventure Play Association, which he has attended since he was six.

HEALTH AND WELLBEING AWARD

Reidvale Adventure Play Association, which offers a playground for ablebodied children as well as youngsters needing extra support, is a finalist in this category.

It is joined by Springburn's St Catherine's Primary. The school teaches its pupils to understand money, how to use it and how to be responsible with it.

Since it was established in September 2008, Castlemilk Craft Cafe has helped to alleviate social isolation and depression in elderly tenants through craft and creative activities.

Other finalists are Rainbow Care Centre and Drumchapel L.I.F.E, who focus on nutrition, active lifestyle and mental health issues.

SPORTS AWARD

The finalists are A & M Training, Scotstoun Netball club and Pollok United Soccer Academy.

Also through is Robert Fox, who founded Croftfoot United Football Club and coaches about 80 youngsters.

rebecca.gray@ heraldandtimes.co.uk