AFTER a fiercely fought contest, Glasgow’s Community Champion grand finalists have been decided – by Evening Times readers.

Our annual awards, in association with Glasgow Fort and supported by Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Community Planning Partnership, Glasgow Housing Association and Trades House of Glasgow, celebrate everything that is great about the city and its people.

This year, for the first time in the long-running event’s history, our readers have determined who triumphed in each category in the north west, northeast and south of the city.

Over the next three days, we will be unveiling who won in each region of the city, across eight categories. The winners will go through to the Grand Final on December 6.

Today, it’s the turn of the north-west.

Tomorrow we will reveal the northeast winners, and on Friday, our champions from the south. Our newest award, Teacher of the Year, is a city-wide category, so all three finalists are being announced today

TEAM AWARD:

Beatson Cancer Charity Volunteer Team
Behind the scenes at Glasgow’s much-respected Beatson, are a dedicated team of hardworking volunteers, who ensure all patients and families receive the very best care before, during and after treatment. 

INDIVIDUAL AWARD:

Callum Hutchison – Violence Reduction Unit
Two years ago, Callum was a long-term casualty of Glasgow’s gang culture – now he leads an innovative mentor support programme at Braveheart Industries, helping troubled young people find new paths in life. 

PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD:

Gregor Ritchie and Fraser Devine – Men Matter Scotland
This fantastic support network helps men of all ages at risk from social isolation and mental health problems. 

UNIFORMED SERVICES AWARD:

Red Watch at Maryhill Community Fire Station – Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

Over the last 20 years, the group has raised more than £45,000 for Kelbourne Park Primary, providing a sensory room, playground equipment, horse riding lessons and more.

SENIOR AWARD

(For individuals or teams aged 60 and over): Musical Memories Springburn – Springburn Parish Church

With an average age of 77, the mighty Yellow Shirts run weekly music sessions for people with dementia and their carers, and have a wider aim of creating a dementia-friendly community in this part of Glasgow.

YOUNG AWARD

(For individuals or teams aged 17 and under): Mariya Javed, Another Star in the Sky

Real-life superhero Mariya was just seven when her older brother died of a rare, undiagnosed brain condition in 2017. Despite her grief, the little girl has spent the last two years fundraising, collecting £15,000 to help research into similar conditions. 

HEALTH AND WELLBEING AWARD: Baby Loss Retreat

The charity helps bereaved parents with emotional and psychological effects of having a stillbirth or neonatal death, by providing respite. Over the past year, it has helped 15 parents.

SPORTS AWARD: West End Road Runners

This running club has grown from around 10 members to 150 in just three years, boosting confidence and improving fitness levels in its community.

TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD:

Frank McArdle – St Roch’s Ceili Band 
Frank has taught and inspired hundreds of young musicians at the helm of St Roch’s Secondary’s legendary ceilidh band and through evening classes he runs throughout the city. 

Craig Hayworth, King’s Park Secondary 

Over the last two years, PE teacher Craig has set up a school football team, started a badminton club and encouraged children who might not otherwise have had the opportunity to participate in sport, to get involved.
Harriet Ward, Lingo Flamingo

Volunteer language 

tutor Harriet Ward has made a big impression at Lingo Flamingo, which teaches language lessons to older adults living in care homes across Glasgow. She is part of a team working on groundbreaking research into dementia care and has inspired others to volunteer.