Northern lights

THE city's heroes of the north were honoured last night as hundreds of people helped celebrate the fourth Glasgow Community Champion Awards.

They were all in Maryhill Community Central Halls to pay tribute to the men, women and children who work tirelessly to make a difference for others.

We received more than 60 nominations for the neighbourhoods of Lambhill, Milton, Maryhill, Summerston, Ruchill, Possilpark, Kelvindale and Kelvinside. THE WINNERS

TEAM Good Morning Glasgow Finalists: Glasgow Group Riding for the Disabled Association, Possil Renewal Ltd

INDIVIDUAL Hugh and Margaret Tavendale Finalists: Sadie Gordon, Sheila McTavish

PUBLIC SERVICE INDIVIDUAL Remzije Sherifi Finalists: Jain McIntyre, Stewart Bell

PUBLIC SERVICE TEAM Staff of Maryhill Community Central Hall Finalists: Maryhill Firereach Team, North Glasgow Youth Stakeholders' Group

NEIGHBOUR Mary Anne McIlroy Finalists: Helen McLellan, Veronica Rodden

YOUNG COMMUNITY Ruchill Youth Project - Groovy Greens Finalists: 1st Glasgow Company Boys' Brigade, David McGowan, John Paul Academy

Evening Times Editor Donald Martin welcomed guests to the packed venue and paid tribute to the local people "who make this city great".

The awards were presented by Glasgow's Lord Provost Bob Winter, the city's fire chief Brian Sweeney, Strathclyde Police Chief Constable Steve House and North Kelvin Councillor Jim McKechnie.

The Lord Provost said: "I am a Maryhill boy and like many others, I have seen enormous changes in this part of Glasgow since the days of my childhood.

"But what has remained constant and true is the wealth of commitment and generosity in the Maryhill community."

The Provost presented the Team Award to Milton charity Good Morning Glasgow, a befriending service used by 330 vulnerable people, which took more than 85,000 calls last year.

Its 15 staff call the aged, infirm and at risk, acting as an alert service should any problems arise.

Project manager Nicky Thomson said: "I'm really proud. It's great to get this recognition from the Evening Times. This award is for all the staff."

Hugh and Margaret Tavendale were named joint winners of the Individual Award for contributing hundreds of hours to their community.

Ex-draughtsman Hugh, 76, and ex-secretarial assistant Margaret, 75, have been on the committees of the Summerston Acre housing organisation, the community council, Acre Tenant Managed Co-op, Maryhill Community Central Hall and Ledgowan Tenant's Hall.

Margaret said: "We just feel we want to give something back to the community."

The couple were presented with their award by Chief Constable Steve House, who said: "These awards are a tribute to everyone who's been nominated and the way they contribute to the community."

The 56-strong team of staff at Maryhill Community Central Hall scooped the Public Service Team Award.

The centre has a drop-in cafe, transport scheme, childcare facilities, day care centre and an ethnic minority group.

Its staff opened the centre to families affected by the Stockline factory disaster, working solidly for five days and four nights.

Gary Gentles, part of the halls management team, said: "I'm surprised and delighted."

The award was presented by Councillor Jim McKechnie, representing the Glasgow Community Planning Partnership.

He said: "This is testimony to the commitment of staff to the people of Maryhill, providing a hub for the community in good times and bad."

The Public Service Individual Award was presented to Albanian refugee Remzije Sherifi.

Now a development worker for Maryhill Integration Network, working with asylum seekers and refugees, she said: "This award is recognition of the contribution all refugees and asylum seekers make to the community. That means more to me than anything."

Mary Anne McIlroy won the Neighbour Award in recognition of 14 years spent improving childcare facilities, and boosting education and training for parents by launching Summerston Childcare Family Learning Centre in Gorstan Street.

She said: "To be in among such remarkable people, it makes you proud of what you have achieved."

Brian Sweeney presented the award to Mary Anne and said: "It is humbling to read what these people do."

The winner of the Young Community Award was Ruchill Youth Project Groovy Greens.

A group of 10 eco-conscious primary pupils meet once a week at Ruchill Community Centre to plan ways of making their area cleaner.

Lesley Anne Costello, 9, said: "It's exciting to win."

Evening Times Editor Donald Martin said: "We all believe we need to recognise the heroes in our community. We all wanted to work together on this and I'm delighted these awards evenings are going so well.

"All of our finalists will go forward to an awards ceremony in the City Chambers in September 2009."