IT TAKES just one person to make a difference – and if one person on every street steps up, we can transform the city we all love.

Over the last seven years, from the neighbourhoods of the north to the suburbs of the south, from the wonderful west to the excellent east, Streets Ahead has brought you joyful tales of creative kids and proud pensioners, brilliant businesses and fabulous families, all working to make Glasgow a brighter, cleaner, safer and friendlier city.

Each June, we honour those who go the extra mile at our Streets Ahead Awards ceremony, with prizes for the best community initiative, clean-up campaign, environmental initiative and community garden, plus trophies for outstanding schools, green businesses and gardens. Last year, our overall champion was the mighty St Roch’s FC, a junior football club which has turned itself into a community hub. We also honoured St John Paul II Primary, Concrete Community Garden, Fans of Barrowland Park, Common Wheel, Robert Tibbetts and Friends of Kelvindale Railway Station.

Donald Martin, Evening Times editor, said he was delighted to welcome back Streets Ahead for another exciting year.

“Glasgow is full of hardworking people with great ideas, who find amazing ways to improve their surroundings and bring neighbours together,” he said. “The Evening Times, and our partners Glasgow City Council, City Building and City Charitable Trust, are proud to support them.”

Mr Martin added: “Through our Streets Ahead grants we have been able to boost many existing projects, and kick-start new ones. By showcasing the fine initiatives making a difference all over the city, we hope to inspire even more people to step up and get involved. We look forward to sharing your stories – year eight of Streets Ahead promises to be the best yet.”

Lord Willie Haughey, of the City Charitable Trust said: “I am delighted to be involved once again in Streets Ahead.

“It’s a pleasure to assist the many groups and individuals making such a positive contribution to our great city. They are the very lifeblood of Glasgow and the City Charitable Trust is pleased to support their incredible work.”

Graham Paterson, executive director of City Building, said: “City Building is always looking for different ways to support the communities around us.

“Every year through Streets Ahead we hear about so many inspiring community stories, from the school kids who are cleaning up their local parks, to the group educating their neighbours on energy saving techniques. We are looking forward to seeing many more community groups, local businesses and organisations become involved.”

Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being involved with Streets Ahead and have loved meeting and presenting awards to the very worthy winners. My hope is that Streets Ahead will reignite the community spirit of old – all ages working together with a common goal – to make their surroundings a much better place.”

It’s easy to be part of Streets Ahead - simply e-mail streetsahead@heraldandtimes.co.uk and tell us what you are doing, or what you want to do, in your community to improve things for everyone who lives there. Find out more online at www.eveningtimes.co.uk and http://newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/streetsahead/

And don’t miss the Evening Times tomorrow and Friday for more Streets Ahead stories.