COURAAGE AND INSPIRRATION; Our unsung superstars will finally get recognition they deserve at glamorous star-studded ceremony EXTRAORDINARY HEROES VYING TO BE CROWNED GREAT SCOT 2009.

SUSAN PATERSON, 30

ARDROSSAN, AYRSHIRE

BRAVE Susan gave her brother a lifesaving kidney despite being told the op could kill her. She ignored doctors who told her a kidney defect made it too dangerous to help Gavin, 26. Her brother said: "Susan risked her life so I could have a future and I'll be eternally grateful." Student Gavin was told he had kidney failure in April 2006.He started on dialysis but his health deteriorated so doctors began looking for a donor. Gavin said: "Susan was the closestmatch. But at Christmas 2007 doctors found an extra artery going into her kidney and said the operation would put her life at risk. We were devastated." But Susan, pictured right with Gavin, went ahead with the op. She said: "Seeing a loved one suffer and being able to help is the best feeling."

RHONA LAWRIE, 48

AIRDRIE, LANARKSHIRE

CARING Rhona has made dreams come true for hundreds of kids with cancer by fixing it so they can meet their idols. The mum-of-three has been on a mission to put stars in children's eyes since Scotland's Mr Fixit Les Hoey arranged for her sick daughter Helena to meet the Tweenies and Atomic Kitten in 2002. Rhona, on right with her daughters, has become Les's right-hand woman, meeting celebrities' agents, arranging visitsandsupporting families. Les said: "Rhona is a star. I don't know what I'd do without her. She is on call 24/7 and I don't think she ever sits down." Rhona said: "As a mum who faced losing a child, I know how great it was to have my daughter's wishes granted."

JON FLEMING, 31

GLASGOW

WHENJon was born with amuscle-wasting disease, his family were told he would not live past his second birthday. Thirty years later he is running his own business. Despite having spinal muscular atrophy and being confined to awheelchair, Jon has defied the odds to become MD of Mochridhe, who offer care to the disabled. The dad-of-two, on left with his family, employs more than 70 staff and provides 1800 hours of care a week to people. His partner Michelle said: "Jon works tirelessly from morning to night and this is why he has achieved so much."

JASON PETRIE, 11

FALKIRK, STIRLINGSHIRE

BRAVE Jason walked through the Highlands to get help after his grandad collapsed on a hike. Harry Cairney, 57, had an angina attack at Loch Hourn in Knoydart. There was no mobile phone signal in the area and Jason's mum Nicola, 31, had to stay with Harry, who was in agonising pain. So it was up to Jason to raise the alarm.He set off for the nearest house, owned by the loch's ghillie, and hiked for two-and-a-half hours. Jason, above, said: "I was scared. It was a long way around the edge of the mountain. Iwas cold." The ghillie took him back to Harry by boat. But then they found Nicola had fallen and broken her leg so she had to be airlifted to hospital. She said: "Jason was just phenomenal."

SHIRLEY-ANN BARNES,46

GALSTON, AYRSHIRE

BIKER Shirley-Ann organises an annual 450-mile ride across Scotland as a tribute to her "daredevil" best friend who died of breast cancer in 2008. The mum-of-two set up the Breast Way Round trip last year to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support as pal Alyson Porter battled the disease. Tragically, Alyson died just a few weeks later. This year the event raised more than pounds 37,000. Shirley-Ann, above, said: "Last year we had 67 bikes. This year we had more than 100. Next year it will be even bigger." Director of Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland, Elspeth Atkinson, said: "We are very grateful to everyone taking part in the ride."

THOMAS BRADLEY, 66

BARRHEAD, EAST RENFREWSHIRE KIND Tho mas has been hailed as Scotland's most generous blood donor after giving 600 times. Over the past 42 years he has saved the lives of more than 2000 people. The former joiner started donating when he was 24 and reached the landmark 600 last month. He has given 50 whole blood donations and 550 platelet and plasma donations. Thomas, above, said: "I'm just pleased I have been healthy enough to keep giving for so many years. "I don't think people realise one pint of blood can save three people's lives and one platelet donation can help three adults and up to 12 kids." The blood donor service said: "Thomas has made a fantastic contribution and has saved thousands of lives. We thank him."

DAVID MCKEE, 51

KILMACOLM, RENFREWSHIRE

SPORTS tycoon David has become a guardian angel to hundreds of children in povertystricken Guatemala. For six years his charity have provided food and schooling to more than 400 kids in the Central American nation. David, above, financial adviser to sports stars, has encouraged clients such as footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips to sponsor the youngsters. His Education for the Children Foundation have funded a primary school and run a secondary school and safe house for abused or neglected kids. The ex-Ross County footballer said: "We set up the foundation in 2003. "There were only 90 kids at the school in the beginning but now we have two schools and 427 students."

JOHN PATTERSON,86

LIVINGSTON, WEST LOTHIAN 

JOHN'S death-defying bombing raids over enemy territory make him one of the heroes of the Second World War. He was given only a 50/50 chance of survival each time he left on a mission into the heart of Nazi Germany. John has proud memories of joining the personal air crew for Britain's most famous WWII commander, FieldMarshal Bernard Montgomery, and was just 19 when he flew his first sortie over Germany. He said: "It was to the Ruhr Valley. We called it Happy Valley because if you made it out alive, you were smiling." John remains modest about his wartime heroics. He said: "For about 40 years after I didn't talk about it. It was only when I heard other people's stories that I thought they might be interested in what I did." John, above, andhis seven-man crewmade five raids on Berlin, among many others. After the war he was transferred to transport command and was given the job of driving Desert Rat Monty, the hero of El Alamein.

ANDY MCNULTY, 29

KELSO, THE BORDERS

HERO soldier Andy risked his life to save three colleagues from a sinking vehicle. The platoon sergeant pulled the men through a tiny window after their truck plunged into a canal in Afghanistan. The dad-of-one was at the back of a 40- vehicle convoy and was the only person to see the seven-ton Panther go into the water. Andy, below, who is based inHolywood, Co Down, said: "It was pitch black and I just about made out the wheel. The truck had overturned. I jumped in and pulled the driver out the window, then the passenger. "I got them both on to the bank and went back for the lad in the back. "I squeezed him through a hole not much bigger than an A4 piece of paper." Captain Jack Bellfield said: "His selfless actions saved the lives of three colleagues." Andy's mum Brenda said: "There has been terrible news from Afghanistan so it is nice to hear something positive." He has also been praised for his heroism after he helped comrades under attack.

Local champs who make a difference

A GIRL who saved her local park, sisters who have raised money for charity for 60 years, a man who lets 300 kids play football in his garden and a cheerleader. These are the finalists in the running for the Morrisons Community Champion award of 2009.

LAURA HARKINS

THE superfit student, 21, runs one of Scotland's most successful community cheerleading squads. Laura, a Glasgow University graduate, set up SLS Allstars, above, based in Stonelaw High School, Rutherglen, three years ago. She started out with just a handful of kids but now has 120 girls, aged between four and 17. Stuart Dougal, whose daughters are members of SLS Allstars, said: "The kids are maintaining a healthy lifestyle and Laura teaches them about friendship and respect."

BRIAGHA MCKENZIE

THE 12-year-old, of Bathgate, West Lothian, is hailed as a heroine by kids in her village after saving the local playpark. When she was 10, Briagha, above, bombarded her local council with letters of complaint about the state of the playground in Torphichen. Two years on, the village has a pounds 130,000 play area, which is adored by all the local kids. Her dad John said: "The whole village is proud of Briagha and what she has achieved. She is full of community pride and was determined to do something about the park."

MARY McEWAN, 42

GLASGOW

PARKtoilet attendant Mary was hailed a hero after she jumped into a pond to save a drowning toddler. After someone shouted: "There's a baby in the water," she raced 50 yards in Glasgow Victoria Park and saw Yosuf Yehiya, two, floating face down. She said: "I ran round the pond before jumping in. I picked him out and slapped him on the back. "He started coughing violently and brought up loads of water I knew he was going to be OK." Yosuf's mum Mona, 34, who moved to Scotland fromYementwo years ago, said: "I can't thank Mary enough for saving my baby." In her nine years working at the park, Mary, below, has saved four kids.

JAMES KEAN

THE entrepreneur, 49, invites 300 local kids into his home each week to play football and a host of other sports. Dad-of-four James, above left, from East Kilbride, Lanarkshire, opened up a sports complex in his garden when he realised there was a shortage of facilities in the town. Children attend karate, boxing and football sessions free of charge at the Kean Construction boss's home. Iain King, who nominated him, said: "James thrives on seeing kids learn about diet, fitness, discipline and respect."

THE BRODIE SISTERS

SUPERGRANS Betty Bennett and Nancy Fleming perform at gala days and concerts to raise money for the Erskine Hospital for ex-service men and women. Sisters Betty, 84, and Nancy, 82, above, of Stewarton, Ayrshire, have raked in over pounds 50,000 for charity in 65 years. Betty, who has 18 great-grandchildren, said: "If we can raise a smile and money for charity, then we're happy." David Paterson, of Erskine Hospital, said: "Without volunteers like Betty and Nancy, we could not operate."

Who will be top celeb?

AS well as our Unsung Heroes and Community Champion, we will be celebrating the top Scots in the worlds of business, charity, music and sports. The winners will remain a secret until the awards night.

CATEGORIES

CHARITY AWARD: For someone or a group who have excelled in raising money and awareness for charity. Previous winners: Women of Influence, Anne Gloag for Mercy Ships and the Prince's Trust. ENTERTAINMENT AWARD: For someone who has put Scotland on the world stage. Previous winners: The casts of Still Game and River City. B U S I N E S S AWARD, sponsored by Optical Express. Previous winners: Entrepreneur and philanthropist Sir Tom Hunter and leisure king Duncan Bannatyne. MUSIC AWARD: For a singer or group who have been rocking on an international platform. Previous winners: The Fratellis, Franz Ferdinand and El Presidente. SPORTS AWARD: For a sportsman or woman who has triumphed on the international stage. Previous winners: Boxer Alex Arthur and the Scotland football team. LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: For someone who has achieved great things in their chosen field. Previous winners: Racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart and actor Brian Cox. GREAT SCOT ABROAD, sponsored by Morrisons: For someone who has flown the flag for Scotland after moving to another country.

OUR CHARITIES

FUNDS raised at this year's ceremony will be shared by five charities. RNIB: The charity offer information, support and advice to more than two million people in the UK with sight loss. Visit www.rnib.org.uk or phone [phone] for more details. NORDOFF-ROBBINS: Each year the charity provide more than 30,000 music therapy sessions to children and adults in need across the UK. The singing and music sessions help to improve communication skills and the ability to form relationships. To donate, call 0141 248 7548 or send cheques to 21 Sandyford Place, Glasgow G3 7NB.

ELIZABETH MONTGOMERIE FOUNDATION: Golfer Colin and his family set up the foundation in 2007 to raise money for cancer especially lung cancer patients in Scotland. Colin's mum Elizabeth died of the disease in 1991. The charity are focusing on supporting people in Glasgow, which has one of the world's highest rates of lung cancer. www.elizabethmontgomerie.org. GLASGOW TAXI OUTING: Every year more than 200 cabs take kids with physical disabilities, learning difficulties and autism on a day out to Troon, Ayrshire. To find out more, just log on to www.glasgowtaxioutingfund.co.uk. KIDNEY RESEARCH UK: The charity fund research focusing on prevention and treatment of kidney disease and try to improve patient care. See www.kidneyresearchuk.org.