Glasgow girl, 12, wants everyone to enter our city awards - here's why

Glasgow Times

7 hours ago

Georgia Shaw was named Little Champion of the Year, alongside powerchair footballer Kaiden Gemmill, eight, and taekwon-do star Dylan Dowling, nine, at last year's Glasgow Community Champion Awards.
Entries are pouring in for the 2025 awards, held in association with Vertu and supported by Glasgow City Council and Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust.
Georgia Shaw, Kaiden Gemmill and Dylan Dowling (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)
The event is a chance to celebrate the people of the city who go the extra mile for others, and we want to hear who you think should be in the mix.
You have until the closing date of September 14 to nominate via our website at
https://newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/glasgowcommchamps/
Georgia won in 2024 for her brilliant initiative at Springburn Unity Network in the north of the city, where she brought together young people from a variety of backgrounds, including those from asylum-seeking families, to learn how to dance.
(Image: Gordon Terris/Newsquest)
This year, the Springburn Academy pupil spent her summer holidays running a children's dance camp, complete with a Wizard of Oz-themed final show for the community, at Possobilities in Possilpark.
Her proud mum, Claire Nisbet, said: 'Georgia ran the classes two days a week, and she choreographed a big final show for families at the end. She sorted costumes, did the hair and make up, organised trophies.'
She adds, with a laugh: 'At one point, she asked me for a projector and a big screen and I had to say, you're not at the Pavilion, work with what you've got …
'But she loved it, and it was fantastic.'
Georgia's summer dance camp took place at Possobilities, a small Possilpark charity which provides a range of invaluable services across the north of the city.
'Winning the award gave me the confidence to keep doing what I love and it shows that no matter what your age is, you can achieve big things,' says Georgia, who is a champion hip hop dancer, having competed in events across the city.
(Image: Gordon Terris/Newsquest)
'One day I want delivering dance workshops to be my job but until then I will do it for my community and to raise money for charity.
'I was lucky to be able to support Possobilities as well as having the best summer ever with all the girls and I hope we can do this every year.'
The summer camp dancers (Image: Courtesy of Claire Nesbit)
The 2024 awards were a double celebration for Georgia and Claire, as Claire is volunteer co-ordinator for Possobilities.
The charity's volunteers won the Champion Team of the Year award in recognition of their selflessness and hard work in giving up their free time five days a week to give back to the North Glasgow community. Many have a disability themselves.
Georgia hugging the Possobilities volunteers at last year's awards (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)
The charity, which started up 30 years ago, runs a Cook 'n' Care meal delivery service, social clubs, from arts and crafts to karaoke, afternoon teas, and a laundry service called The Steamie.
Possobilities volunteers were on hand to help at Georgia's summer dance camp too, providing lunch and drinks each day.
'The young people who took part came from dance schools all over the city,' says Claire. 'They're all used to competing with each other, but this became a bit of a bonding experience and they're all friends now, which is great.
'Every child who took part paid a fiver, and the money raised was donated to Possobilities.'
Georgia Shaw (Image: Gordon Terris/Newsquest)
Claire and Georgia are urging everyone to nominate causes close to their heart for this year's awards.
'We're still talking about that night,' says Claire, smiling. 'Everyone felt such pride at being in the room with these incredible charities and individuals.
'I think it helped remind our volunteers that what they are doing is so important and valued. Winning has also brought more people in to use our services too. We've had a great response from everyone in our community.'
HOW TO ENTER:
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.
You can nominate anyone, from an inspirational teenager to a campaigning pensioner, from a neighbour or family member to a colleague or friend.
You have until the closing date of September 14 to nominate via our website at
https://newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/glasgowcommchamps/
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.