EVERYONE knows an unsung hero – now it is time to sing their praises.

The Evening Times is on the hunt for Glasgow’s Community Champions and this time we are turning our attention to the north west of the city.

After the phenomenal success of our heats in the north east and the south, we want to hear from residents of Springburn and Yoker and everywhere in between.

Entries are already pouring in to our offices, so if you know of a deserving group or inspiring individual, don’t miss out on your chance to tell us all about them.

With our fantastic partners Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Community Planning Partnership, Scottish Fire and Rescue, Police Scotland, Glasgow Fort and City Building, we will reward the volunteers and public service workers who go the extra mile for others.

We want to hear your nominations for the following categories - Team Award, Individual Award, Public Service Award, Uniformed Services Award, Senior Award, Young Award, Health and Wellbeing Award and Sports Award.

Last year’s north west winners were an awe-inspiring bunch.

Two of the champions – PC Colette Farren, who won the Uniformed Services Award, and Abercorn Secondary School, joint winners in the Young category – went on to triumph at last year’s glittering Grand Final.

PC Farren is Knightswood Secondary’s campus officer, who has become a popular and well-respected member of the school community.

Thanks to her, the school has tackled a community litter problem, improving the local streets and winning the support of residents.

She was delighted to win the award.

“After 17 years in the job, being campus officer is the icing on the cake,” she said. “It’s hard work and I spend a lot of my own time doing different things, but it’s worth every second.”

Abercorn Secondary shared the Young Award in the north west with Megan Johnston, who was honoured for the range of volunteering initiatives she devotes her spare time to.

The school pupils were honoured for their hard work and devotion to a whole range of projects from charity shops to foodbanks and local nurseries, despite facing their own health and learning challenges.

Abercorn sixth year pupil Erika Mills summed up the feelings of her fellow students - and all the winners in the room when she said: “We are over the moon about winning.”

Other north west champions last year included Team Award winners Cook n Care, who have been serving up nutritious meals for vulnerable, elderly and disabled people in their homes for nearly 20 years and Drumchapel Foodbank volunteer, fundraiser and organiser Liz Atkinson who was the recipient of the Individual Award.

The NHS Centre for Integrative Care Nursing Team, who provide holistic and integrative health care to patients scooped the Public Services Award.

It was third time lucky for the centre, which had been shortlisted in 2014 and 2016.

Pat and Rae McCarthy were given the Senior Award for their fantastic work running Primrose Friends, a club which helps older people beat loneliness and isolation; North Glasgow Community Food Initiative won the Health and Wellbeing award; and Glasgow Eagles Sports Club, which has transformed the lives of countless young people, won the Sports Award.

Since we launched the Evening Times Community Champions Awards 11 years ago, we have rewarded more than 350 groups and individuals from across the city.

Let us know if someone you know has made a difference by caring for others, campaigning for better services, or simply making life better for all around them.

Perhaps you know of a neighbour who goes the extra mile, or a community police officer who has worked wonders in your area.

Maybe you have a teacher who deserves a pat on the back - or know of a local group which does outstanding work.

The winners from all three heats will take part in the glittering grand final at the City Chambers in November.

The closing date for entries for the north west heat is Wednesday, August 15 and the prizegiving event will take place on Tuesday, October 2.

You can enter via the website newsquestscotlandevents.com or by calling Hannah Docherty on 0141 302 6037 or emailing hannah.docherty@newsquest.co.uk