Young Cantabrians Benefit from Trust Funding

Young Cantabrians Benefit from Trust Funding

$15,000 grant to Big Brothers Big Sisters impacts many young lives

23 February 2009, Christchurch. The Southern Trust's decision to back Big Brothers Big Sisters of Christchurch, will help more young Cantabrians gain a positive adult role model in their lives.

"We had a 100 volunteers doing weekly mentoring of kids across Canterbury in 2009," says BBBS Manager, Matthew Button. "This generous grant will help us to extend this programme to more kids."

The BBBS programme involves volunteers entering a 'big brother' or 'big sister' relationship with a young person who isn't necessarily fulfilling their potential.

"The generosity of our volunteers and the cooperation of local schools is astounding, but we need financial support to keep growing, which is where the backing of organisation's like Southern Trust is so important ," says Button.

" I like to think that Southern Trust's generosity is, in part at least, based on the fact that they are confident that BBBS has a programme built on proven international methods, constant evaluation and absolute financial transparency," he adds.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters Christchurch

Big Brothers Big Sisters matches adult mentors - all of whom are volunteers - with a suitable child (typically aged between 8-13 years), who they meet with for one hour each week. Part of a national and international network, Big Brothers Big Sisters currently supports over 80 mentoring relationships at across the city in schools and in the community.

Funding locally is provided by Christchurch City Council, Wayne Francis Trust, Canterbury Community Trust, Lottery Grants, COGS, Child Health Services, The Blogg Charitable Trust.

ENDS

© Scoop Media