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.

Today sees the launch of the 2018 Awards, which will culminate in a fabulous awards night at the Glen Pavilion in Dunfermline on Friday, June 8.

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 three years ago.

Fife group 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 8.”

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.

But we need your help. For our 2018 awards, we want to hear about your community greats that make your community thrive.
Nominate them today!

You can nominate on the website: www.newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/dunfermline-press-community-champions/

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.

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.

Community Champion of the Year
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
Sponsored by Carnegie Dunfermline Trust
When it comes to charity, Dunfermline and West Fife is as big-hearted as you can get. This award is for a group or an individual who have dedicated their energy to making a real difference in areas such as alleviating Loneliness, combating Poverty and improving Health and Wellbeing

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.

A word from our sponsors:

Canvas Holidays
“Canvas Holidays are proud to support the 2018 Community Champion Awards for the fourth year running. As a local family holiday company, we are delighted to be part of recognising exceptional young people in our community who have achieved so much. Each year we are truly moved and inspired by those who are nominated.”

Amazon
Graham Allison, site leader at Amazon Dunfermline Fulfilment Centre, said: “Amazon is proud to be part of the community in Fife, employing more than 1,500 people in full time permanent roles.
“Supporting the local community is really important and I am delighted that for the second consecutive year, we are sponsoring the Heart of Gold award at the Dunfermline Press Community Champion Awards.
“These awards recognise the many people in Dunfermline and West Fife whose actions and courage have touched the lives of others. I can’t wait to learn some of the stories of achievement and bravery.”

Fife Council
“It is a great pleasure for Fife Council to sponsor the Youth Champion Award, especially in 2018 – Year of Young People.
We recognise and value the part that young people play in society. Fife Council and partners actively encourage and support young people to shape their communities and their own future and to become involved in local decision-making.
“We wish to recognise the vast amount of volunteering that takes place and the exceptional young people in our community”.

Oliver & Robb
“Oliver and Robb Architects are delighted to support the 2018 Community Champion Awards and the associated Entrepreneurial Category.
“Through our involvement in architecture, we understand the synergy between creativity and business success and how this benefits the local economy and its wellbeing.
“We are proud to support and celebrate the commitment, passion and contribution of those who have made a telling and significant contribution to this story.
“May we wish those involved continued success, for a dynamic community only survives through the concerted efforts of those living and working in the local area.”

Carnegie Dunfermline Trust
David Walker, Chair of the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust, said “The Trust seeks out and supports those working to benefit our community and this award is a wonderful opportunity to showcase just what can be achieved’

TechnipFMC
Ewan Reed, Director of Manufacturing – Well Control, TechnipFMC said “TechnipFMC is delighted to continue its support for the Dunfermline Press Community Champion Awards in 2018.  We are pleased to see so many people from the local community gaining the recognition they deserve for their worthy endeavours.”