THERE was great applause as two unsung heroes who have devoted most of their lives to communities were rewarded.

Kate Semple, 92, and Eric Flack, 72, the joint Senior Award winners, were two of the many groups and individuals who were celebrated at the Evening Times' Community Champion Awards at Glasgow University Student Union.

Mrs Semple, of Yoker, a great-grandmother-of-eight, has been campaigning for 70 years for her community to help the young and elderly, as well as people with disabilities.

Mrs Semple, who has carried out her volunteering despite having had prosthetic legs for the past eight years, still hosts the Yoker Craft Group every Wednesday and helps with groups at Yoker Parish Church.

She said: "I will volunteer as long as I can. I don't do it for the recognition so I can't believe I have won this."

Mr Flack, who has an artificial hip, has been inspiring people of every age to take up sport at Drumchapel Tennis Club for decades and has been running the local community council for 40 years.

He said: "It is incredible to be recognised."

People turned out in force to support the 23 finalists from West and Central Glasgow who have made a difference in their area.

Evening Times' editor Tony Carlin, who was hosting the ceremony, said the night was about "the people who make this city great".

Guest speakers presented the winners with their awards.

Glasgow Lord Provost Sadie Docherty handed the Team Award to Drumchapel Caravan Project, which was launched in 1985 to give families on low incomes a holiday.

Mary McBain, 56, a volunteer with the group, said: "Two years ago we were almost closing, but we got funding and survived."

Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Chief Officer Brian Sweeney then presented the Individual Award to Sharon Colvin, who is a project manager with 3D Drumchapel.

The 34-year-old dedicated the win to her team, which has been supporting vulnerable families with parenting classes and family trips for 15 years.

Sharon said: "The team are the ones that make everything happen and I could not do it without them."

The Public Services Award, which was presented by Glasgow councillor Philip Braat, was shared.

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, was one winner.

And CSI, the crime scene investigation project involving Drumchapel High School, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue and Strathclyde Police, was honoured for helping children learn science skills.

Glasgow Housing Association chairman Gordon Sloan presented the Sports Award, which was given to Scotstoun Netball Club. It has recruited almost 40 people of all ages and abilities into its three teams.

Tracey Lamb, 33, a part-time coach, said: "Winning could help to recruit even more people, especially women."

Comedian Sanjeev Kohli was at the event to support the club, which his daughter Ruby, 11, has attended for two years.

He said: "I go to some award ceremonies and they are full of attention seekers, but this is a group of people who just get on with it. They are doing it because they want to do it. "

The Health And Wellbeing Award, presented by Councillor John Kelly, went to Drumchapel LIFE, which launched a Green Gym project to encourage more people to be health conscious.

Kenny Macdonald, 51, of the club, said: "We are extremely happy for the project."

The Young Award, presented by Mr Carlin, also had joint winners.

It was shared by 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 living in west Glasgow.

The Lord Provost summed up the night in her closing speech when she said: "Everyone here is a winner in my eyes."

rachel.loxton@ heraldandtimes.co.uk

hail the west end champs – pages 4,5