IN just a few days, the second Streets Ahead awards will celebrate the people and projects helping to transform Glasgow.

Our award-winning campaign has been inspiring people all year in an attempt to improve our city, one street at a time. The ceremony, organised by the Evening Times in conjunction with Clean Glasgow, takes place in the Winter Gardens, Glasgow Green, on June 13.

There will be seven category winners: Best Garden; Best Community Garden; Best Environmental Initiative; Best School; Best Clean-up Campaign; Best Community Initiative and the Green Glasgow Business Award – and one Overall Champion, chosen by the judges.

Today, we meet the remaining finalists, battling it out to win Best Garden, Best School and the Green Glasgow Business Award.

BEST GARDEN

Charles Rogerson

HE has been gardening his whole life. Daughter Angela says: "My dad spends hours in the garden and everyone is always commenting on how beautiful it is. He doesn't just cut the grass and plant flowers –he has built walls, put in features ... he loves it."

Charles, 62, who lives in Balornock, is keen to encourage his eight grandchildren – who range in age from three to 22 – to share his love of horticulture.

"My daughter Scarlett loves helping him plant flowers," says Angela. "But I think she takes out more than she puts in!"

Gordon Kendall

Gordon, right, from Balornock, takes a lot of pride in his garden and no-one appreciates it more than his parents, Annie and Ronald.

"We are both practically housebound because of ill-health, and to be able to look out on a beautiful garden means the world to us," says Annie.

"Gordon is now unemployed and gardening has given him a new lease of life. He also helps other elderly residents in the area to look after their gardens."

GREEN GLASGOW BUSINESS AWARD

McDonald's, Trongate

The hard-working staff, right, are well known in the area for their dedication to local good causes.

They have helped to clean up the Citizens Rose Garden in Gorbals and litter-pick regularly in the city centre. They recently helped to lift 50 bags of rubbish from around the Barras in the East End.

Allied International

THE firm's commitment to keeping Glasgow clean and green has been demonstrated throughout the year by a number of fantastic initiatives.

It runs recycling campaigns, supports Earth Hour and the World Wildlife Fund, organises awareness-raising campaigns for energy and water saving initiatives and encourages staff to take part in a raft of physical activities.

Glasgow Wood Recycling

This social enterprise and charity started in 2007 with the aim of helping local businesses to reduce the amount of wood sent needlessly to landfill sites.

Six years on and it has become a successful and inspirational project, providing opportunities for socially disadvantaged people to learn new skills, gain confidence and help their local communities.

The charity uses the wood to help eco schools, community projects and workshops, as well as providing training and volunteering schemes for local residents.

BEST SCHOOL

Holycross Primary

Many children who attend the school in Govanhill do not have access to gardens at home, so the school's decision to create a whole raft of outdoor initiatives in its grounds has been life-changing.

Children now have a sensory garden, butterfly and bee garden, lots of new play equipment and the chance to grow their own food in a kitchen garden.

Parents and local businesses have helped out and the whole community is delighted to have such a valuable resource on its doorstep.

Castlemilk High

Pupils have worked hard to clear rubbish from the gardens at Castlemilk Stables, the restored Georgian building rescued from ruin by local campaigners.

The youngsters wanted to give something back to the community.

As well as clearing up, they have weeded and planted to encourage wildlife and turned an overgrown, unused space into a beautiful place to visit.

They also plant and grow vegetables.

Feedback from people in the area has been positive and the school plans to continue work over the summer holidays and into the next term.

St Vincent's Primary

Children at the Carwadric school have helped to turn a derelict piece of land into a vibrant area for play, relaxation and gardening.

They have named it their Field Of Dreams, and it is used by a local nursery, autism unit, an elderly people's home and residents.

The youngsters also grow their own fruit and vegetables, and have planted more than 50 fruit trees as part of a new children's orchard project.