THE stars of Glasgow’s North West were celebrated for their hard work last night.
The third heat of the 2017 Glasgow Community Champions Awards showcased the work being done by dedicated individuals across the city.
Supported by our generous Community Champion partners Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Housing Association, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue and Glasgow Community Planning Partnership, the event rewarded those making a lasting difference to their communities.
The Team Award went to Cook n Care, who have been serving up nutritious meals for vulnerable, elderly and disabled people in their homes for nearly 20 years.
Julia McInally, Cook n Care coordinator, said she hoped the award would encourage more volunteers to join the group.
She said: “It’s great to be nominated and get our name out there. We’ve been running for nearly 20 years and it’s great to be appreciated, especially the volunteers. It’s given us such a boost.”
Braveheart Industries received commendation for their dedication to helping former prisoners, aged between 18 and 29, develop their interests in cooking and hospitality with the aim of getting them into work.
The Street and Arrow food truck by Braveheart Industries has become a much-loved feature of Mansfield Park.
Iain Murry, police inspector and managing director of Braveheart Industries commented: “We’re very privileged to be here. It’s a massive achievement and recognition that we’re doing something right. It’s been a hard fought task to be in amongst the other nominees so we’re glad to be included.”
Drumchapel Foodbank volunteer, fundraiser and organiser Liz Atkinson was the much deserving recipient of the Individual Award.
The work Liz undertakes on a daily basis hasn’t gone unnoticed by the people she helps and those working around her.
Liz said: “I’m quite shocked because I only found out through one of my volunteers that she’d nominated me after I’d been shortlisted. It’s an honour and a big surprise.
“I’ve worked in Drumchapel for years and this is the first time I’ve ever been nominated for something like this.
“It’s like somebody saying ‘thank you’. I was up against so many amazing people – I don’t know why I was nominated!
“It means everything to win and gives so much credence for our foodbank because we go the extra mile.”
The NHS Centre for Integrative Care Nursing Team, who provide holistic and integrative health care to patients, many of whom are suffering from multiple conditions, scooped the Public Services Award after being shortlisted in 2014 and 2016.
Katrina Bissett and Carol Fairley, clinical nurse specialists as part of the NHS Centre for Integrative Care were on hand to collect the award.
They said: “We’re delighted to have been nominated. We were surprised to have won when we heard about the other people in the category.
“It’s nice to be appreciated, especially when we’re just doing our job. It’s been a difficult year because we’ve lost so many colleagues so this is one positive to come out of it.”
Police Constable Colette Farren was recognised for going above and beyond the call of duty within the Knightswood community.
Through her work as campus officer at Knightswood Secondary School, she has made a lasting difference to the environment and to the lives of pupils.
PC Farren, said: “I’m delighted and thrilled to have been nominated. It means a lot to win, I’ve been at the school for four years now and the kids keep me going.
“It’s a huge reward for me. It’s great to be able to see the young people and the elderly working together.”
Supercouple Pat and Rae McCarthy were given the Senior Award for their proactive approach to solving a very common problem for Glasgow’s elderly.
Since creating their very own club Primrose Friends after finding themselves spending too much time alone, they have welcomed 28 members into the fold.
Rae, who is celebrating her 74th birthday today, said she was shocked to be nominated.
She said: “It’s great recognition for our work. I’m really tired but when I go over to the club, I’m on a high because I’ve made 20 people happy.”
This year’s Young Award went to a school bursting full of talented and inspiring pupils.
Abercorn Secondary School, which caters for young people with special needs, have encouraged each student to become proactive and engaged members of their community. Pupils volunteer in charity shops, donate to foodbanks and work with local nursery children and are constantly giving back.
Stuart Kerr, Abercorn PE teacher, who was also nominated for the Sports Award, commented: “We’re feeling good.
“We don’t shout about everything we do and things stay within the school community but it’s good to get the word of the school out there.
“The kids probably don’t realise they’re doing such great work because they enjoy it.”
The North Glasgow Community Food Initiative was served with the Health and Wellbeing award.
The initiative has been running for more than15 years, having gained charity status in 2005. The group of dedicated volunteers decided to help all sections of the their community living in low income households, including asylum seekers and those who had their benefits sanctioned.
Lizze Panagiotidou and Greg Sandilands from the group said: “Winning means that a lot of the work we do is rewarded and all the hard work done not only by ourselves but by volunteers isn’t going unnoticed. The volunteers play a major role.”
Working in the Springburn community, winner of the Sports Award, Glasgow Eagles Sports Club, has transformed the lives of countless young people.
The club supports young people who have special needs, mental health conditions and disabilities to achieve sporting excellence.
Many of their members have gone on to achieve great things, including taking part in the Special Olympics.
Alec Watt, founded the sports club while working as a social worker. He said: “It’s absolutely wonderful, I’m ecstatically joyful.
“It’s a superb feeling to win. It means the end product of 29 years’ work to get the club the way it is being recognised.”