Search begins for 2025 Glasgow Community Champions
Kelly, who is operations director at Castlemilk Youth Complex, jokes: 'You don't get long to be a celebrity in the world of community work …'
Today, we launch our search for the 2025 Glasgow Community Champions, in association with Vertu and supported by Glasgow City Council and Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust.
(Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)
We want to hear who you think should follow in the footsteps of Kelly and her amazing fellow winners. You have until September 14 – click here to nominate.
The win for Kelly, which she says was 'a win for everyone at CYC' came as the charity celebrated 30 years of supporting young people in Castlemilk.
Within a few weeks, however, the team was facing one of its toughest challenges as funding cuts loomed.
'We faced a very difficult financial situation,' nods Kelly. 'Fortunately, through some members of staff taking voluntary redundancy, we could repackage our services and carry on.
'We miss the staff, of course, but it allowed us to regroup and to survive. It was a sticky start to the year but that is the reality of community work and youth work today.'
(Image: Gordon Terris/Newsquest)
She adds: 'Our youth board were amazing throughout. They are so resilient and they made sure that young people would not be the ones to suffer as we navigated that challenge.'
Kelly is urging other groups across the city to get involved in the Glasgow Community Champion Awards.
'The awards are a chance to say out loud what's great about Glasgow and all the work going on here,' she says.
Kelly, right, with manager Fraser Howat and Linda Heron (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)
This year's awards are celebrating a new headline sponsor, Vertu, and the return of generous partners Glasgow City Council and Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust.
Barry Lindsay, general manager of Vertu Nissan Glasgow Central, said: 'Vertu is delighted to announce that we will be an official partner of the 2025 Glasgow Community Champion Awards, celebrating the many worthy individuals who do so much to support their community - a community in which we are very proud to share, through our dealerships in the west of Scotland.
'Formally Macklin Motors, part of the Vertu group, we rebranded to Vertu at the start of this year - but our commitment to helping our communities, providing exceptional service and customer satisfaction remains stronger than ever.
'We'd like to honour the dedication, selflessness and passion of the charities and people making a real difference and very much look forward to the grand final in December.'
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Lord Provost of Glasgow Jacqueline McLaren said: 'I am honoured to once again support the Glasgow Times Community Champion Awards - an inspiring celebration of the people who make our city extraordinary. In this landmark year, as we mark Glasgow's 850th birthday, these awards take on even greater significance.
'This year, we are celebrating our past, present and future, through the people, places and stories that have shaped Glasgow over the years.
'These awards shine a light on local people - those who carry forward the spirit of generosity, resilience and innovation that defines our city. Their efforts echo the very themes of Glasgow 850: community, transformation and hope for the future through volunteering, activism and local leadership.
'Each nominee contributes to the vibrant tapestry of Glasgow life."
Gerry Facenna, chairperson and owner, Allied Vehicles, said: 'We're proud to sponsor the Glasgow Times Community Champion Awards for the second year running.
'These awards shine a light on the incredible individuals, community groups, organisations and charities that make Glasgow such a special place.
'Through the Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust, we're privileged to hear many of these inspiring stories first-hand and to play a part in supporting them. We're looking forward to seeing this year's nominations and celebrating Glasgow's community champions once again.'
Last year's grand final, in the glorious surroundings of Glasgow City Chambers, was 'perfect timing' for CYC, adds Kelly.
'It reminded us that actually, it is quite an achievement to still be here, sustaining a community programme which has been going for three decades,' she says.
'And there is often so much negativity around young people and what they shouldn't be doing, that it was good to hear about all the positivity and good things that young people are doing.
'The Glasgow Community Champion Awards help people to sit up and take notice of those who are doing so much good in this city.'
HOW TO NOMINATE
There are 10 awards up for grabs this year: Community Champion; Champion Team; Sporting Champion; Champion School of the Year; Youth Champion, for young people at secondary school; Little Champion of the Year for children at primary or nursery school; Senior Champion for those aged over 60; Health and Wellbeing Champion; Green Champion and Arts Champion.
Click here to nominate https://newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/glasgowcommchamps/
You can nominate anyone, from an inspirational teenager to a campaigning pensioner. Tell us why they should win and remember to include lots of detail and photographs to support your entry.
For more information, call 0141 302 6046.
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