THE countdown to a huge celebration of people who make Inverclyde great — the Greenock Telegraph Community Champion Awards — is well and truly on and today we begin a series of articles highlighting our phenomenal finalists.
A glittering prizegiving dinner to give these unsung heroes a richly deserved night in the limelight will be he held at Greenock Town Hall on June 7 and we will be showcasing every one in the run-up to the big event.
Today we are focusing on three very special local people who have worked selflessly and tirelessly for their communities over many years, and who make up our shortlist for the Senior Community Champion of the Year award.
Sadie Martin
Sadie is one of Ardgowan Hospice's longest-serving volunteers who continues to give up her own time to help the much-loved charity, despite battling health problems.
The 71-year-old community stalwart was recently recognised by the charity for her 35 years of service in its charity shops.
Sadie's dedication to grassroots causes stretches back decades and continues today even though she battles with lymphoedema, serious breathing problems and has had a pacemaker fitted as a result of heart failure.
From her home in John Street, where she has lived for 53 years, the former Merino Mill worker helped set up a pioneering Tail o' the Bank Credit Union, fought for better housing and she played a pivotal role in the creation of the award-winning Belville Community Garden.
Sadie said: "I left school and went to work in the mill, that is what the girls did back then and the boys went to the yards.
"I have stayed in the same house for 53 years. It is a good community here."
Eddie McCluskey MBE
Eddie is an inspirational swimming coach who has spent more than half of his life helping young people with disabilities realise their dreams.
He has received many accolades over the years for the contribution he's made to Port Glasgow Otters.
The 75-year-old successfully steered four swimmers to gold medal success over five Paralympics, including Margaret McEleny MBE and Kenny Cairns MBE.
But an interesting quirk to his story is that by his own admission, he is not a very good swimmer.
Eddie said: "I swim once a week, badly! I'm a much better coach than a swimmer."
Eddie, who has been the president and mentor at Port Otters for 40 years, first got involved in coaching as his sons were members of Port Glasgow Swimming Club.
Jim Hearl
Lieutenant Commander Jim Hearl is a community stalwart who has helped to shape the hearts and minds of hundreds of young people in Inverclyde at the helm of Greenock and District Sea Cadets Corps.
Jim has been with the organisation man and boy, having joined more than 50 years ago.
He has held several senior roles over the years and become synonymous with the institution.
Jim is fiercely proud of the corps, which is called T.S Tidesurge, and is recognised as one of the top sea cadets corps nationally.
The 63-year-old said: "I was advised to join an organisation, as at the time there were gangs running about the streets.
"I tried a few, including the scouts but I didn't like it so I came here and it just stuck with me.
"I've always enjoyed messing about on the water and watching the boats sailing up and down the river."
Jim is proud to report that the group is still going strong, as there are 42 members at the moment.
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