Having spanned the whole of the city, linking people through their selfless commitment to helping others, the Glasgow Community Champion Awards returned to their launchpad at The Bridge in Easterhouse.

The same emotionally-charged atmosphere that marked the first series was evident again, with neighbourhood heroes young and old honoured by their community.

An audience of around 200 people raised the roof, stamped their feet and cheered the unsung stars of the Greater Easterhouse, Baillieston and Shettleston neighbourhoods.

More than 70 nominees had been whittled down to a shortlist of 18 finalists, whose uplifting stories of dedication, bravery and ambition were related to a packed auditorium.

Even the evening’s entertainer – young Easterhouse singer-songwriter Nikki-Lee Snodgrass – discovered that an extraordinary community hero attended her school.

Nikki-Lee, a sixth year pupil of St Andrew’s Secondary in Carntyne, had her heartstrings tugged by schoolmate Caragh Campbell, who picked up the Young Community Champion Award.

Having brought the curtain down with a cover of Kings of Leon’s anthem Use Somebody, the 17-year-old gushed: “I was quite shocked when I heard her name – good on her that she’s achieving so much.

“She’s really brave, because I couldn’t do half the stuff she does. It’s hard enough getting through school as it is. She’s so courageous.”

Caragh has battled back from ill health after fighting for her life six years ago when she suffered a blood clot in her brain.

While the two other Young Champion contenders, Playbusters Young Volunteers and GE YouthBank, cranked up the decibel levels with vocal support, our new category in the awards – Senior Community Champion – proved to be another big hit with the audience.

The 27 years of unstinting service by Jessie Pollock, 84, prompted spirited applause as she picked up her commendation certificate. The Carmyle resident organises a lunch club four days a week at the Orchard Park Centre and then helps clean and tidy on her day off.

Colin McNicol, who was a local councillor for 43 years, quipped of Jessie: “I tell her that she’s far too young to leave. I don’t think that’s her real age any way – I think she kids herself on.”

His wife Janet added: “If Jessie wasn’t there, what would we do? She wasn’t even coming here tonight to begin with!”

Individual Award finalist Richard McShane was equally modest about making the shortlist, but was pleased his efforts were recognised through a nomination from Strathclyde Police.

The chairman of Blairtummock and Rogerfield Tenants and Residents Association, who recently founded two youth football teams, said: “That means I’m on the right track – they’re telling us that juvenile crime is down in the area.”

Print company managing director Jim McVicar welcomed seeing Strathclyde Fire and Rescue pick up the Public Service Team gong for their collaboration with Kickstart theatre company.

He said: “I had a fire seven or eight years ago and these guys were superb.

“My heart lies in the East End, although I live in Bearsden now. That’s why I’m here tonight.”

Sandyhills high-rise flats concierge manager Charlie McKay, a finalist in the Public Service Individual category, was cheered on by three generations of supporters – wife Janice, daughter Janet and 10-year-old granddaughter Heather.

Janice said: “I think this recognition is long overdue. He would spend 24 hours a day there if he could.

“He’s set up a library, he’s got keep-fit classes, belly-dancing classes – it’s all on site.”

Husband and wife Eddie and Grace Andrews were singled out last year for their work with Wellhouse Community Trust, shortlisted this year in the Team category.

Support officer Eddie said: “You’re not wanting to be a community hero, but you feel good helping people.

“Somebody said the other day he had to thank us because we’d changed his life – he’d given up sitting about in the house after his wife had died. That meant more than anything.”

Margaret Connelly was there to support husband Frank, manager of the Barnardo’s Youth Involvement Project, shortlisted in the Public Service Team category.

The Garrowhill mum, who is a project worker rehabilitating young offenders in Dumbarton, said of the Barnardo’s project: “They’re investing in the young people who are the next generation – it means they’re better equipped to overcome the past generation’s mistakes.

“Some young people just haven’t had the opportunity – they need people to believe in them and encourage them so they can go on to prosper and change.”

Before the ceremony began, guests browsed stalls set up by awards partners Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Community Planning Partnership, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue and Strathclyde Police.

Our community news editor Helen Smith demonstrated the seven dedicated community websites covering this area of the city.

All six winners at last night’s event will be invited to a grand final in October 2010 at the City Chambers.

The Easterhouse event was the first of 10 ceremonies to be held at different locations across the city.

The next event, honouring the remarkable local heroes living or working in the West of the city, takes place at Drumchapel Community Centre on December 2.