The Dunfermline Press and Central Fife Times Community Champion Awards in association with Vertu are back for 2025, bringing you the chance to highlight the unsung heroes in your neighbourhood.
We all know someone who goes the extra mile for others, working tirelessly to make things better for the community they serve.
So now is your chance, as we look to shine the spotlight on our local heroes by launching this year’s Dunfermline Press Community Champion Awards – recognising the very best of everything about West and Central Fife.
The awards ceremony in 2024 was a huge success, highlighting all the selfless individuals in our communities that brightened up the lives of those around them.
Nominations for the 11 categories are now open, and you can put forward someone special as a candidate by going to our nomination page at dunfermlinepress.com/community-champions.
CHAMPION TEACHER OF THE YEAR: Everyone remembers their favourite teacher. This award recognises teachers who are bringing learning to life by engaging and inspiring all children and young people to fulfil their potential.
CHARITY CHAMPION OF THE YEAR: When it comes to charity, the people of Dunfermline and West Fife are as big-hearted as you can get. This award is for an individual or a group who have dedicated their energy into making a real difference.
COMMUNITY CHAMPION OF THE YEAR (Sponsored by Stagecoach): Rewarding a local individual, 18 years and upwards, or a group, who goes out of their way to help those around them. Someone whose actions are a force for good in the community and who we all benefit from making our community a better place.
ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARD: This category celebrates a person or a business that has demonstrated a special entrepreneurial flair and has used this passion to help grow their local community.
HEALTH & CARE AWARD: The Health & Care Award will recognise the incredible health and care workers both at individual and team level, who are at the heart of our local community.
HEART OF GOLD: This award goes to someone who has made a contribution of outstanding significance to Dunfermline 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: To recognise an outstanding child aged 13 or under whose achievements, courage or bravery make your heart burst with pride.
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.
SPORTING CHAMPION OF THE YEAR: For a local individual, team or club that is making an impact in the world of sport, either on the pitch or off it. Who is the beating heart of local sport?
YOUNG ENTERPRISE CHAMPION: This award recognises young people who have succeeded in starting a business, creating benefits for themselves and for their communities. It will celebrate the work accomplished by a young person (Under 25) or group demonstrating good business skills.
YOUTH COMMUNITY CHAMPION: We are looking for a group of young people or an individual up to the age of 17 who makes a significant contribution to their local community. They may have raised funds, campaigned on issues which are important to young people or helped others less fortunate. We know kids sometimes get a bad reputation. Tell us about the kids you know whose heart is in the right place.
Vertu are sponsoring this year’s event. (Image: Vertu)
Dunfermline Press editor Scott McCartney said: “We know from past campaigns that there are a lot of generous people out there who really make a difference in our communities.
“Now is your chance to let them shine by nominating those remarkable individuals for a Community Champion Award.
“What better way to say ‘thank you’ than to highlight the people who make our neighbourhoods better places to live.”
Stagecoach are among the sponsors this year.
This year we’re teaming up with sponsors Vertu and Stagecoach.
Douglas Robertson, managing director for Stagecoach East Scotland, said: “We’re delighted to be sponsoring the Dunfermline Press Community Champion Awards once again, and we look forward to celebrating all the amazing people who go above and beyond to support our local community.
“As a major employer in Dunfermline and across east Scotland, our team support communities every day, so it’s important for us to recognise the community champions in our area.”
(Image: Newsquest)
The deadline for nominations closes on Tuesday, April 17, so make sure you get yours in soon. You can do so at dunfermlinepress.com/community-champions.
We’ll then be announcing our finalists in May, and making sure we highlight the heroes who made it through.
The Dunfermline Press and Central Fife Times Community Champion Awards will be held on Thursday, June 12, at the Glen Pavilion in Pittencrieff Park.
Details on how to get tickets will be available soon.