THERE are now just three weeks to the fourth Dunfermline Press Community Champions Awards and this year’s finalists have now been chosen.

The awards ceremony in the Glen Pavilion, Dunfermline, on June 8 will honour the unsung heroes in communities across West Fife who go the extra mile to help others.

For one special night, the ordinary people doing extraordinary things day-in and day-out in our communities will be honoured on stage for the incredible work that they do.

Last Friday, the awards judging panel made up of Press editor Simon Harris; Cat Cockburn, of Fife Voluntary Action; Graham Allison, site leader at Dunfermline Amazon, Community Inspector Stephen Kay, Police Scotland; and Dunfermline councillor Helen Law, met to determine this year’s finalists and winners.

Simon, who chaired the panel, said: “The Press awards is the highlight of our year. We’re passionate about being positive about West Fife and each year, the awards ceremony gives us the opportunity to showcase and celebrate all the good that is happening in the area.

“This is the fourth year we have run the awards and I can honestly say the judging is getting more difficult. We had a record number of nominations across the 10 categories this year and the panel agonised over our decisions in all of them.

“The stories of heroism, courage and selflessness that emerged from the nominations were incredible and I know that, from the finalists that we’ve put forward, we’re in for an inspirational and memorable evening on June 8.”

The 2018 Press Community Champions Awards finalists are:

Entrepreneurial Award - sponsored by Oliver and Robb Architects

Faodail – A Lucky Find

Flower Pixies

The Wee Tea Company Ltd

Champion Teacher of the Year

Kirsty Renton

Linda White

Lorraine Taggart Bristow

Community Champion of the Year

Danny Kinloch

EATS Rosyth

Paton Street Christian Committee

Vi Penman and Nicola Wilson

Heart of Gold - sponsored by Amazon

Carolyn Cornet

Evelyn Cook

Irene Paton

Jenn Knox

Louise Vickers

Charity Champion of the Year – sponsored by Carnegie Dunfermline Trust

Dunfermline Foodbank

Play As One Scotland

Stuart Duffy

Sporting Champion of the Year

Erin Henderson, Sacha Muir and Chloe Rowlands (Acrobay Gymnastics Trust)

Emma McCulloch

The Fighting Chance Project (Scotland) with Carnegie Judo Club

Tain Bruce

Young Enterprise Champion – sponsored by TechnipFMC

Ryan Kirk

Soapy Pawz

Youth Community Champion – sponsored by Fife Council

Digi Crew

Hannah Cuthbertson

Ryan Graham – The Pars Foundation

South West Fife Youth Work Young Volunteers

Little Champion of the Year – sponsored by Canvas Holidays

Becky Thompson

Cammy Taylor

Charlie Walker

Daniel Cornet

Ryan Rafferty

Live Music Award

Amy Lou

Oskar Braves

The Cognac Twins

The Decrees

You can book your place today for a night filled with joy, pride and community spirit. The Press Community Champions Awards takes place on Friday, June 8, at the Glen Pavilion. 

Call Nina Holmes on 0141 302 6036 or email nina.holmes@newsquest.co.uk

The awards are being run in association with the folowing sponsors:

Canvas Holidays
“Congratulations to all the finalists. We’re delighted to be supporting the Little Champion of the Year Award again in 2018, and we’re looking forward to celebrating the achievements of these fantastic kids on the big night.”

Amazon
Graham Allison, site leader at Amazon Dunfermline Fulfilment Centre
“It was totally uplifting learning about many of the incredible people working selflessly every day for the community in Fife. 
“There were some tough discussions at the judging panel to decide the finalists and a big shout out to those who took the time to nominate in their community.”

Oliver & Robb
“Oliver and Robb Architects congratulate and applaud all finalists and winners in the Dunfermline Press Community Champions Awards 2018. 
“Whether an individual or a group, all nominees can be proud of their achievement and the invaluable contribution they have made to the local community.” 

Ewan Reed, director of manufacturing – Well Control, TechnipFMC
“Congratulations from TechnipFMC to all the entrants in the Dunfermline Press Community Champion Awards, in particular those who have succeeded in making it through to the final stage of the competition. 
“Best of luck in the final!”

Carnegie Dunfermline Trust
“The trustees have been greatly impressed by the quality of nominations for the award and warmly congratulate all those who have made it to the final. 
“To be Charity Champion of the Year recognises a very special commitment and a willingness to give to others which too often remains beneath the radar.”

Fife Council

"Congratulations to all the finalists who were nominated for the Youth Champion Award. We have been delighted with the range of applications and picking the finalists was tough with such a high standard. I would like to thank all who nominated and all the applicants for their amazing efforts and congratulations to the finalists. Hoping this confirms what you are undertaking is really appreciated and your efforts are appreciated. Keep up the good work."