Working together, we can all ensure Glasgow truly flourishes
STREETS Ahead is a team effort – the Evening Times, our readers and corporate supporters.
This year our celebration of community spirit receives the backing of Glasgow City Council, City Building and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
All three have been faithful partners to Streets Ahead and have pledge their support for another year.
Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said the campaign is a driver of community empowerment – helping Glasgow to flourish.
Ms Aitken said: “The council supports and works in partnership with so many great groups, businesses and individuals who are doing their bit to improve Glasgow’s sustainable environment.
“There is fantastic work being done in our schools to ensure it is a priority for pupils and the city’s army of Neighbourhood Improvement Volunteers also do tremendous work.
“I can’t wait to read about the new and exciting projects in this year’s Streets Ahead campaign.
“Working together, we can all ensure that Glasgow truly flourishes.”
Ms Aitken also praised the “drive and imagination” of those who come forward to take part in Streets Ahead.
She added: “The council is delighted to support the Streets Ahead campaign again this year.
“We are committed to community empowerment and this campaign highlights proactive people with drive, initiative and imagination, who launch and run projects to help their peers and neighbourhoods.
“Our physical environment is important to our health and we all have a role to play in protecting and enhancing it.”
At City Building, Dr Graham Paterson, executive director of the company, said staff are excited to hear our readers’ stories as Streets Ahead progresses towards our glittering grand finale.
Dr Paterson said: “Making a difference to local communities is at the heart of City Building’s unique social ethos so we’re extremely proud to be supporting Streets Ahead again.
“We look forward to hearing about all the good work that’s going on in Glasgow as the campaign gets underway over the coming months.”
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has always been a great support to Streets Ahead.
Glasgow’s local senior officer, Jim Hymas said “We are proud supporters of the Streets Ahead campaign and we are delighted to be part of the great work that is being delivered in Glasgow.
“Through partnerships with our communities and the Evening Times we are afforded the opportunity to work with some of the city’s most inspiring and dedicated citizens, committed to making Glasgow a great place.
“Streets Ahead is fundamentally about empowering our communities to making a real difference, often helping and supporting those most need and bringing about real change.
“SFRS has 11 communitybased fire stations across the city and our staff are privileged to work in partnership with our communities to make Glasgow safe.
“Through Streets Ahead we strive to increase community benefits with our private, public and voluntary sector partners and together we hope to keep Glasgow great.”
Lord Willie Haughey, chief executive of City Charitable Trust, added: “The City Charitable Trust is once again delighted to be working with the Evening Times and our other Streets Ahead partners over the coming 12 months.
“In the first six years we helped scores of individuals and organisations to make a positive difference within their communities.
“This year we want to do more to help these remarkable and inspirational Glaswegians.
“These people are what makes this city great.
“The founding principle of Streets Ahead was the belief that one person can change the street where they live or work for the better. And if every street has one champion we can change the entire city for the better.
“I still firmly believe this is the case and that is why the City Charitable Trust is delighted to help the army of Glaswegians who work so tirelessly to improve their communities.
“I hope Streets Ahead continues to help support those who make this city great for many years to come.”