Finalists revealed for the Community Champion Awards 2024

A panel of judges gathered for the difficult task of drawing up a shortlist for each award category from a record number of nominations sent in from across the West and Central Fife areas.

Following the successful return of the awards last year, after a break due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we're delighted to see still mean so much, with a big number of nominations for inspirational, caring and generous people who have done so much for others.

However, with so many nominations, that just made the task of choosing our finalists that much more difficult.

That task was undertaken this year by our panel of Catherine Cockburn, Fife Voluntary Action; PC Scott Morgan, Police Scotland; Gillian Taylor, Carnegie Dunfermline Trust; Douglas Robertson, Stagecoach East Scotland; George Murray, Outwith Festival; and Kevin McRoberts, editor of the Dunfermline Press and Central Fife Times.

Kevin said: "I would like to thank all the judges for the huge amount of time they gave to read all the nominations and select our finalists. It was far from being an easy task.

"I'd also like to thank everyone who took the time to submit a nomination – every one of them deserving of recognition for their achievements or the difference they have made to their communities. It's humbling to read so many inspiring stories.

"I'd also like to mention our award sponsors – Arnold Clark, Stagecoach East Scotland, TechnipFMC and Fife Council – without whom none of this would have been possible. Thank you everyone."

Douglas Robertson, managing director of bus operators Stagecoach East Scotland, who joined our judging panel this year, commented: “Congratulations to all the finalists for 2024’s Dunfermline Press / Central Fife Times Community Champion Awards.

"It was great to see so many fantastic entries again this year, and we look forward to celebrating the very best of Fife at the awards on Thursday, June 13.”

Messages of congratulations to the finalists have also come from our other sponsors.

Ewan Reed is managing director at the Dunfermline campus of TechnipFMC, a leading technology provider to the traditional and new energies industry, delivering fully integrated projects, products and services. The company has sponsored the Young Enterprise category for a number of years.

Ewan said: “On behalf of TechnipFMC, I’d like to congratulate all of the finalists in this year’s Dunfermline Press / Central Fife Times Community Champion Awards Young Enterprise category. Each of the nominees should be extremely proud of the conscious steps they are taking to improve the lives of people in our local area. Thanks for inspiring, moving and motivating us with your stories and initiatives.”

Arnold Clark, the UK's largest independently-owned, family-run car retailers, are sponsors of this year's Sporting Champion of the Year.

Craig England, general manager of Arnold Clark Dunfermline Fiat/Abarth, said: "Congratulations to this year’s finalists. Everyone nominated has been an inspiration to the community, and they have achieved great things in their respective sports – either on the pitch or off it.

"This is some very well-deserved recognition and every nominee should be proud of their efforts."

Fife Council are sponsoring the Heart of Gold award, and Councillor James Calder, convener of the City of Dunfermline area committee, commented: “It was no easy task picking the finalists as there were so many good entries. It’s heart-warming to hear of the work people do for their local communities. Well done to all the finalists.”

The Community Champion Awards night takes place in the Glen Pavilion, Dunfermline, on Thursday, June 13.

COMMUNITY CHAMPION AWARDS FINALISTS

Champion Teacher of the Year: David Low, Louise Cameron, Natalie McLauchlan.

Little Champion of the Year: August Aitken, Fifi and Dola (The Eco-warriors), Freya Donnachie, Grace and Harry Sinclair, Logan Alexander.

Sporting Champion of the Year (sponsored by Arnold Clark): Elize Bauld, Anna McBride, Brooke Stalker, Niamh Moloney, The Fighting Chance Project (Scotland), United by Miles. 

Youth Community Champion (sponsored by Stagecoach): Caitlin Burn, 83rd Fife Cairneyhill Scout Group, Ryan Rafferty. 

Health & Care Award: Diamond Disco, Craig D_PT, Irene Scott, Men's Issues Rosyth, Tartan Talkers. 

Young Enterprise Champion of the Year (sponsored by TechnipFMC): Bellyeoman Primary School (Jamie, Molly, Magdalena and Sophia), Elena Marburger, Inverkeithing High School .

Entrepreneurial Award: Dhoom , Little Shop of Heroes, Scottish Goats Milk Soap Company, Scunnered Digital. 

Charity Champion of the Year: FRASAC & Volunteers, Hyperclub, Kathy Hill, Lawrence Cowan, Scotland Hat Walk, Steve Winstanley. 

Live Music Award: Ayla Ersoy, Gregor Scott, Jupiter Strange, T-A, Tamanfaya. 

Community Champion of the Year: Acorn Aid (Brian & June Miller), CACA Junior Youth Group, Dunfermline Children's Gala, Kathleen Langner and the Brucefield Tenants & Residents Association, Michele Miller, Ronnie Collins (West Fife Woodlands), That Place in the Bay.

Heart of Gold (sponsored by Fife Council): Carol McCormick, Chloe Sliman-Millitt, Fiona Robertson, Lesley-Anne Chessor and the late Hanniffia McGrath, Natasha Myas.