INVERCLYDE came together to celebrate our local champions at the first Greenock Telegraph Community Champion Awards.

There were smiles, laughter, tears and touching tributes as Inverclyde’s newspaper showcased the very best of community spirit, courage and acts of selflessness that define our communities.

Our finalists were honoured during a heartwarming ceremony at Greenock Town Hall, as a 200-strong audience gathered to pay tribute and celebrate their achievements.

Broadcaster and journalist Alison Walker hosted the evening, which was kicked off in spectacular style by our Live Music Award winner, The Riverside Youth Band.

There was further entertainment provided by fellow finalist Lewis Darrah, who wowed our audience with an Ed Sheeran cover and a stunning performance of one of his own songs.

Lewis, who recently returned from working with Beyonce’s producers in Los Angeles, said: “America was amazing, but Inverclyde is my home and I was delighted to get the chance to perform for a room full of such amazing people.”

The crowd rose to their feet time and time again to applaud each category winner, but the biggest cheer of the night was reserved for the Little Champions — who were all named joint winners, to everyone’s delight.

Tele editor Brian Hossack said the title was proud to be able to honour the amazing people who make Inverclyde such a special and unique place.

He added: “The Telegraph has been serving Inverclyde since 1857 and it is a brand very much at the heart of the community.

“These awards allow us to celebrate and recognise some extraordinary people, and it was a pleasure to look around the town hall and see how much all of this meant to our winners and finalists.

“Of course, we couldn’t have staged such a successful event without the support of our sponsors, and on behalf of the Telegraph, I would like to say a huge thanks to Amazon, Aulds, ICE Catering, Arnold Clark, CVS Inverclyde and Riverside Inverclyde for their backing.

“My favourite part of being a journalist is being able to tell and share stories like those of our amazing finalists.

“It was a night for heroes and the stage rightly belonged to all the winners.”

On the night a charity ‘guess the website hits’ prize draw raised £1,015, which will be split between the Charity Champion category finalists – Your Voice, The Salvation Army and a charity chosen by Tommy Armstrong.

The winner took home the grand prize of hospitality at Greenock Morton for two to a league match for the upcoming season.

Graham Allison, site leader at Amazon in Gourock, says the firm were delighted to have been part of the Greenock Community Champion Awards 2017.

He added: “It was heartwarming to see the fantastic entries for the Community Champion award and read about the individuals who have gone out of their way to help others. 

“I was impressed by the number and high standard of entries, and delighted to be able to recognise and celebrate the winners at the awards evening.” 

Arnold Clark’s Elinor Ross said they were also delighted to have been involved by sponsoring the Young Enterprise Champion category.

She said: “We’re delighted for winner Victoria Hamilton and her firm VH Innovations and would like to congratulate them on their considerable achievements so far. 

“At Arnold Clark, entrepreneurship is something very close to our hearts and it’s particularly exciting to see just how one single idea can grow into something that will improve the lives of others. Victoria’s commitment is inspiring and it’s proof that when you work hard to achieve something, you can really make a difference.”

The Heart of Gold category was sponsored by Riverside Inverclyde.

Their acting chief executive Fiona Maguire said: “A huge congratulations to all of the nominees and winners of this inaugural Greenock Telegraph Community Awards.

“It has been an absolute privilege for Riverside Inverclyde to sponsor these awards. Whilst our focus is to improve the long-term economic future for Inverclyde, we recognise the wider reaching benefits that this has across our communities and residents.

“These awards just further highlighted Inverclyde’s greatest asset — our people!”

Alan Marr, of Thomas Auld & Sons, felt they couldn’t have a local community event taking place on their home turf without lending a hand.

Alan and his team very kindly provided a fabulous Belgian chocolate cheesecake served with creme chantilly and raspberry coulis.

Guests were also lucky enough to be served a tasty mouthwatering mini steak pie treat at the end of the night as well.

Alan said: “As a local firm that’s been in the area for over 117 years,  we were honoured to be involved in helping raise the awareness of all the amazing acts of kindness going on in our community”

Ian Bruce, chief executive of CVS Inverclyde, said: “Our congratulations go to our category winner Tommy Armstrong and, indeed, all the shortlist candidates in the Charity Champion of the Year category, which recognises the amazing work each has undertaken in support of good causes.

“They are a real credit to their local community.

“When it comes to charity, we know our Inverclyde community is big-hearted, as we have the privilege of working with hundreds of charities and voluntary organisations who make such a difference to the people of Inverclyde.

“That’s why we were excited to join with the Greenock Telegraph by becoming a category sponsor in its new awards programme.”

Tony Buckley, of ICE Catering, provided guests with a mouthwatering meal on the evening, and sponsored the champagne reception to welcome people on arrival.

He said: “As a local firm, we were delighted to support such a worthwhile event showcasing all that is great and good about Inverclyde.

“It was a fantastic evening and we were happy to play our part making sure everyone was well fed and watered.”

ROLL OF HONOUR

Entrepreneurial Award Winner: David Faller
Finalists: Tony Bonatti; 2020 Renewables; Morrisons Foundation

Champion Teacher Award - Sponsored by the Greenock Telegraph: Lesley McLaren
Finalists: Denise Crawford; Helen Cook; Paul Giffney

Community Champion of the Year — Sponsored by Amazon Gourock: Robert Whaley
Finalists: Erica Noone; Maureen Pentland; Vicki McCarthy

Youth Community Champion Winner: Amy Shearer
Finalists: Kyle Brotherton; Leah Canning; Rhys McCole

Little Champions of the Year Winners: Cameron Smith; Nathan Mowat; Olivia Thomson and Lucy McLellan.

Live Music Award Winners: Riverside Youth Band
Finalists: Lewis Darrah and The Urban Folkers

Heart of Gold Winner – Sponsored by Riverside Inverclyde: Rachel Way.
Finalists: Anastasia Williams; Dr Sadhu-Ram Gupta; Janice Hendrie

Charity Champion of the Year —Sponsored by CVS Inverclyde: Tommy Armstrong
Finalists: James McKechnie and Your Voice, Inverclyde Community Care Forum

Sporting Champion of the Year Winner: Caitlyn Haldane
Finalists: Jamie Bradley and Shirley Reford

Young Enterprise Champion — Sponsored by Arnold Clark: Victoria Hamilton
Finalists: Money Manager - Lucy McDade, Lucy Smith & Bethany Robertson; Reach For Change - Alanah Porteous, Kira McCarthy, John McAuley, Martin Black, Greg Smith

Judges Special Recognition Award Winner: Erica Noone