Best of 2010: Our stars' names go up in lights

After sifting through nominations, the Evening News announced its contenders for the prestigious "Best of... 2010" awards this week.

Today we outline the shortlist of local heroes for Best Community Contribution, a category which is sure to excite a lot of interest and produce a close-run contest in the public vote.

To help readers make an informed decision, a profile has been drawn up for each finalist highlighting their achievements and commitment to their respective communities.

LYNNE McNICOLL

LYNNE McNICOLL, 53, challenged herself to raise 50,000 in one year on the eve of her 49th birthday.

From that moment she has become a prolific fundraiser, having trekked the Sahara and Himalayas for charity in the last few years as well as facing her fears by going on a zip slide in Clydebank. She netted 650,000 from her big-hearted deeds which were donated to the Teenage Cancer Trust, but this year the grandmother-of-two launched her own charity "Good 2 Give", which supports Scottish young people with cancer and their families.

She said it was a "lovely feeling" to be nominated.

"The community is very important to me," she said.

ISA THOMSON

ISA THOMSON, 63, from Tranent has been teaching dance and performance art in her free time for the last 31 years.

The clerical assistant has run the drama school 'Centre Stage' exclusively for children from around 1990 and has produced innumerable shows.

The catalyst for launching the amateur drama group was the fact "absolutely nothing was happening in Tranent," she said.

On learning of her nomination for the Evening News gong, Betty said: "I'm quite embarrassed really. You don't do this for any reward. You do it because it brings pleasure to the community."

CAROL MOREWOOD

CAROL MOREWOOD, 43, from Liberton, has been contributing to the Girl Guides since she was just seven years old and has been a leader for two decades.

As 2010 was the 100th anniversary of the movement, Ms Morewood led several high-profile events involving all sections of the organisation.

As well as her duties as the unit leader of the Guides in Fairmilehead, she trains adult leaders in guiding and has a day-job as deputy head teacher of Pentland Primary School.

"I cannot believe it actually," she said. "It's come as a bit of a shock and I cannot take it all in."

MOHAMMED LITON

MOHAMMED LITON, 45, is a unflinching sponsor of many of Penicuik's civic events, including the town's annual gala day, amateur football club and even the local rugby club.

The father-of-three is always keen to lend a hand with fundraising efforts for deserving causes and even invites primary school children to his restaurant, The Clippers, to learn the skills behind Indian cooking.

"I'm really proud that someone in Penicuik felt that I should be recognised," said Mr Liton.

IRENE BISHOP

IRENE BISHOP, from Uphall in West Lothian, "practically runs the village" according to one of her nominations.

The village stalwart has been a long-serving member of the Uphall Education Centre Management Committee of which she is currently chair. In April she became chair of Uphall Community Council, having joined the watchdog body last October.

Mrs Bishop, who is in her 60s and was a former school teacher in the village, also sits on the gala committee. She continues to work sporadically as a substitute teacher and is a member of the Broxburn Uphall Town Centre Management Group.

LAURA THOMSON

LAURA THOMSON, 46, head teacher at Victoria Primary School in Newhaven, is credited with relaunching the village's defunct gala day.

The popular occasion - held this year on 29 May - was rebranded as a children's gala celebration after 12 years in the wilderness. It had fallen off the social calendar following a drop in volunteers. Mrs Thomson took over the helm at Edinburgh's oldest still-working primary school in August 2007, and in just her second day in the job, Mrs Thomson joined the community to fight threats of closure.

"I am honoured to be nominated for this award," she said.

KIRSTY LAIDLAW

Kirsty Laidlaw, 47, was a late starter in the Girl Guides, having discovered a passion for the movement at the age of 26.

She has been a devoted leader of two Edinburgh districts, firstly at Clovenstone and then Sighthill, throughout the last two decades.

In her first stint as leader, money was so tight in the community that she made her own tabards to provide uniforms for her young members.

"I am stunned to be up for this award, I have to say," said the mother-of-two. "I had no idea how big a deal this was until very recently and I feel honoured."

ELIZABETH BRAND

ELIZABETH 'BETTY' BRAND, 74, has been fighting on behalf of Firrhill residents since moving there 47 years ago. The grandmother-of-four has worked tirelessly to win designated parking spaces to remove congestion and was a key campaigner in a bid to stop privately-owned cemeteries being sold off. She was also a Firrhill Drive Community Councillor.

Reacting to her nomination, she said: "I had no idea I was being nominated. I couldn't believe it and had to pick up the paper three times.

Betty says she lives by the motto: "I keep going at something until I get what I want."

MASOOD MALIK

MASOOD MALIK, 70, is a well-respected member of Edinburgh's Asian community and runs the Asian 50 Plus Club for older people to get together and have lunch.

He has worked on many fundraising projects at home and abroad. The director of the Pakistan Society, he is also credited with establishing strong links between the Capital's Asian community and local polticians.

"It's a big surprise honestly to be put forward," he said.

"The point of a community is not to concentrate on just one part of the community but the whole community for everyone."

Five Lothian post offices want to take delivery of our top prize

FIVE post offices in Edinburgh and the Lothians made the grade in the Best Post Office category.

These are: Davidson Mains Post Office on Corbiehill Road, described as "friendly, very helpful, especially with the elderly and covers a wide area due to closures to other post offices"; Dunbar Post Office, High Street: "Warm atmosphere . . . always help when I'm in a hurry."; Dalry Road Post Office: "For their unfailing courtesy, cheerfulness and assistance, even when they are extremely busy."; Oxgangs Post Office on Oxgangs Broadway: "Friendly, considerate service at all times . . ."; Wester Hailes Post Office on Wester Hailes Centre: "The team is always positive, polite and efficient."