Glasgow Community Champions revealed: Here are all the winners

The 2022 awards, organised by the Glasgow Times in association with Glasgow City Council, Wheatley Glasgow, Trades House Glasgow and Merck, paid tribute to the city's unsung heroes.

Eleven awards were presented on the night, including the Lord Provost's Special Recognition Award which went to St Albert’s Primary School, and the Editor’s Award, presented to PC Natalie Pollok.

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Stacey Mullen, Editor of the Glasgow Times, said: “The past year has been tough for many Glaswegians. Society slowly returned to normal after the pandemic and now we face the biggest cost of living crisis in recent years.

“Despite all these challenges, the people in this room showed us the true spirit of community. They are selfless individuals, who go above and beyond every single day and we are delighted to honour them all.”

The Team Award went to The Courtyard Pantry, a vital community hub in Ruchill, which provides  discounted food to locals, runs a welcoming café and helps local people get jobs and volunteering opportunities.

Courtyard Pantry won the Team Award (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)

Co-ordinator Dale Todd said: "I am speechless, we never expected to win. So many people in this room have supported us, it's overwhelming."

The Individual Award went to Kenny Trainer, the powerhouse behind Bluevale Community Club. Local people know the sacrifices Kenny has made to give something back to the community he loves and are grateful for his support.

Unfortunately Kenny was unable to attend because of illness. His local councillor, Allan Casey, said: "Kenny is devastated to miss tonight. He has transformed the east end of Glasgow and is thoroughly deserving of this award."

The Uniformed Services Award went to paramedics Willie Anderson and Scott Diamond, whose bravery and quick-thinking saved 35 people from a burning building in Glasgow city centre. The two men, who work for the Scottish Ambulance Service, ran into a smoke-filled tenement after a takeaway on the ground floor exploded.

Scott Diamond, left and Willie Anderson, with Bernadette Hewitt, far left, and Amy Irons. (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

Willie said: "We would like to accept the award on behalf of everyone who works in the NHS. People have called us heroes but we think everyone in this room are heroes."

The Young Award went to Kodie Stewart, an inspirational 16-year-old from Easterhouse.  Kodie struggled after the death of her beloved gran, but was determined to continue helping her community. She impressed politicians at climate change conference Cop26 and helps local young people gain skills and confidence through sport.

Kodie Stewart, 16, who won the Young Award, with Billy Birse-Stewart of Trades House Glasgow and event host Amy Irons (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

Kodie said: "I wanted to win this, not for me, but for my school and my community to show what young people from Easterhouse can do."

The Senior Award was presented to The Milton Rattlers, who run everything from bingo nights to coffee mornings, supporting neighbours and friends and ensuring the community is healthy and happy together.

Milton Rattlers won the Senior Award (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

William Campbell said: "We're just a bunch of old people, and we love what we do, so this is great."

The Health and Wellbeing Award went to awardwinning garden project Growing Together, which supports more than 100 adults with learning disabilities in Drumchapel.

Growing Together won the Health and Wellbeing Award (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

Jason Methven said: "It's really inspiring just to be here, it means a lot to us."

The Public Service Award was presented to Men Matter Scotland, which runs a variety of peer-to-peer initiatives to support men’s mental health.

Men Matter Scotland won the Public Service Award (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

Volunteer Fraser Devine paid tribute to all the men who help to run the service and added: "We just do this to help people, this is just what we do. Thank you for this award."

The Sports Award was presented to Castlemilk Community Football, a team of outstanding volunteers who have inspired everyone with their passion and hard work supporting young players and their families at the Barlia pitches. Faced with the potential closure of the football centre, they fought to keep it open and have since hosted hundreds of matches, free football camps and community events.

Castlemilk Community Football won the Sport Award (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

John Harkins said: "This is community empowerment. The community didn't want this to shut, so we kept it going - and this award is for them."

The School Award was presented to Shawlands Primary for its innovative Bike Bus project, a fantastic sustainable transport initiative which has taken the south side of Glasgow by storm.

Shawlands Primary staff and parents won the School Award (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

Headteacher Theresa Wright said:"We are delighted to be here, and we could not have done this without our fabulous parents who organised it."

Entertainment was provided by guitarist and singer Zoe Tait, who said: "I was honoured to be invited to perform here - it's an inspirational evening."

Zoe Tait (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

A special presentation was made to Bernadette Hewitt, who is stepping down as chairperson of Wheatley Glasgow.

Glasgow Times Editor Stacey Mullen thanked Bernadette for the “time and energy” she had given to the awards and added: “Bernadette’s wisdom and knowledge have been greatly valued by the judging panel.

“As a tenant chairperson, Bernadette has a unique perspective, and we have always been grateful for her insight into her community and her understanding of what these awards are trying to achieve.”