Demi Mitchell, winner of the Sports Award: “No-one here tonight, no-one working in the third sector, does what they do because they want to win awards. They do it to help people, because they see a need and want to change things for the better. To be recognised is really lovely, though, and it does make a difference - it helps you feel like you are doing good.”

Geraldine Fitzsimmons, Special Olympics powerlifter and supporter of Senior award winner Alexander Watt: “We’re so proud of Alec, and so proud to be here. What a night!”

Lord Provost Councillor Eva Bolander: “It’s fantastic to have everyone here tonight. It’s lovely for me, after benefitting from the hospitality of local heats in Pollok, Easterhouse and Partick, to be able to return the favour and welcome everyone to the City Chambers. Tonight celebrates the city’s pride in its citizens – people really do make Glasgow.”

Michelle Burke, Givin’ It Laldie, Health and Wellbeing Award winner: “It’s so exciting to be part of Glasgow Community Champions. More than 250 people come along to our various groups and choirs, which is fantastic. We’re so proud of everything the group has achieved.”

Emma Conaghan, 11, Sunnyside Primary pupil: “The work we do for our community is really important because if we don’t get our message out there, then nothing will change. We all want things to change for the best.”

Stevie Mackin, operations manager at Braveheart Industries, runner up in the Team Award.

“Being here is out of this world. What the guys have achieved, what it means to the community - it’s really fantastic. Our philosophy is that we have soft hearts and hard feet, because we go the extra mile.”

PC Nicola Baird, Operation Mighty: “It’s exciting to be here - we’re really grateful for the recognition and thanks we have had from the community. It feels like we have had an impact in Govanhill, and we are proud of that.”

Chief Superintendent Brian McInulty: “You can feel the community spirit in the room tonight – it is so fantastic. Everyone in the room tonight is a winner. On the way down here, one of my colleagues noticed George Square and the City Chambers, beautifully lit up and full of celebration, and said – ‘Glasgow is great’. He is right, because of all the fantastic work going on in communities all over our city, and Police Scotland is hugely proud to be part of it.”

Councillor Jen Layden, Glasgow Community Planning Partnership: “This is the first time I have been to the Community Champions Grand Final – what a blast! It’s great to see so many community organisations and inspiring individuals recognised for all their hard work – they are all very worthy winners.”

Phil Goodman, Centre Director, Glasgow Fort: “It is a real privilege to be here and to support these awards, particularly the young category in Scotland’s first Year of Young People.”

Evening Times editor Donald Martin: “The grand final of the Glasgow Community Champions Awards is a chance for us to honour the men, women and children who go the extra mile for others. It was a fantastic night, full of emotion and laughter and a real celebration of the incredible contribution ordinary people make to our city, day after day. Our winners are amazing – but every single person in the room should be immensely proud of what they have achieved.”