THEY’RE back! The Dunfermline Press and Central Fife Times Community Champions Awards are returning and you can nominate those who make a difference in your community now.

This week sees the launch of the 2017 Awards, which will culminate in a fabulous awards night at the Glen Pavilion in Dunfermline on Friday, June 2.

The aim of the awards is to recognise, reward and celebrate the people who make our communities a better place.

And we’ve been doing just that since we first came up the idea to run the awards two years ago.

We know there’s lots of bad news around and it’s our duty to report it.

But we are also passionate about being positive about the West Fife community and in terms of the Press Community Champions Awards, there’s only good new stories.

Fife regional editor Simon Harris said: “My favourite part of being a journalist is being able to share the stories each week of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

“We try to champion our communities where we can and each year, these awards underline that we have a strong community that we can all be proud of.

“Who knows what stories of courage, tenacity, generosity and the overwhelming sense of community spirit found throughout West Fife we’ll uncover by running this year’s awards?

“What I am sure of is that there will be many, I’m looking forward to the Press bringing you the stories and honouring our community champions on June 2.”

For one night, our community champions from sport, business, charity, music, schools and everyday life were able to swap their community cause for the limelight of the stage and deservedly take the plaudits for their achievements from those they helped and benefited the most – the community of West Fife.

The Press is at the heart of the communities we are proud and privileged to serve.

These awards help us to reach out to the hearts and minds of the everyday folk in our villages and towns who help to enrich the lives of others.

But we need your help. For our 2017 awards, we want to hear about your community greats that make your community thrive.

Nominate them today at  https://newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/dunfcommchamp/

The categories are:

Entrepreneurial Award
Sponsored by Oliver & Robb Architects
Celebrates a person or a business who have demonstrated a special entrepreneurial flair, and has turned this passion to help grow their local community.

Sporting Champion of the Year
For a local individual who is making an impact in local sport, either on the pitch or off it. Who is the beating heart of local sport?

Young Enterprise Champion
Sponsored by TechnipFMC
Recognises young people who have succeeded in starting a business, creating benefits for themselves and for their communities. This award celebrates the work accomplished by a young person demonstrating good business skills.

Community Champion of the Year
Sponsored by Macklin Motors
Rewarding a local individual 18 years and upwards who goes out of their way to help those around them. Someone whose actions are a force for good in the community who we all benefit from making our community a better place.

Youth Community Champion
Sponsored by Fife Council
We are looking for a young person up to the age of 18 who volunteers and makes a significant contribution to their local community. We know kids sometimes get a bad reputation. Tell us now about the kids whose heart is in the right place.

Heart of Gold
Sponsored by Amazon
This award goes to someone who has made a contribution of outstanding significance to Central and West Fife. We will be recognising an adult whose actions, achievements, courage or bravery have touched the lives of others and made a difference. Someone special who truly has a heart of gold.

Little Champion of the Year
Sponsored by Canvas Holidays
To recognise an outstanding child up to the age of 18 whose achievements, courage or bravery make your heart burst with pride.

Charity Champion of the Year
When it comes to charity, West Fife is as big-hearted as you can get. This award is for an individual or group, who have dedicated their lives to supporting an amazing cause. A chance to recognise the incredible work they undertake tirelessly.

Live Music Award
This award will go to a local singer, band or group who put their heart and soul into every performance, whose talent makes us all extremely proud. Our finalists will have the opportunity to perform live at the awards gala.