Big brothers needed in North Canterbury

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

By David Hill, local democracy reporter

Big brothers are wanted to support young people in North Canterbury.

Mentors are in short supply for boys needing a bit of extra support, Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Canterbury programme manager Ellie Le Gros says.

‘‘We are getting women, but we need more men because we match by gender. Our boys are missing out.

‘‘You don’t need special skills or interests. You just need to be reliable for one hour a week.’’

Le Gros said mentors were needed throughout the Waimakariri and Hurunui districts, and there was an in-school programme run in Kaiapoi and Rangiora schools.

She said Covid had forced the organisation to be innovative in its fundraising and connecting with young people, and social media had proven to be a valuable tool.

But nothing beat face-to-face interactions.

The annual ‘‘Big Breakfast’’ is returning to Rangiora on May 3, after a Covid enforced absence last year.

Internationally acclaimed Christchurch barber and hair artist Matt Brown, the author of "She Is Not Your Rehab", is this year’s guest speaker.

Brown created a barbering programme that is taught in men’s prisons and is an ambassador for the It’s Not OK campaign.

‘‘Matt talks about his childhood and the difficulties he experienced growing up with alcohol and domestic abuse, and what he does now to help men,’’ Le Gros said.

‘‘After the earthquakes he started cutting hair in his garage and he had gang members and business people sitting together, and he found they had something common - they had come from violent upbringings.’’

Once again Big Brothers patron and former Kiwis rugby league coach Frank Endacott will host the breakfast.

Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon regularly attended the annual big breakfast and said he saw the value in mentoring young people.

‘‘I have seen the value they provide in mentoring and supporting young people and by attending the breakfasts over the years you get to hear from the mentors and mentees.

‘‘When they stand up and talk you can see the real value that mentors bring.

‘‘It is certainly a valued service in our community and I think Ellie and her team do a great job.’’

■ The annual Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Canterbury Big Breakfast will be held at the Rangiora Baptist Church hall on Wednesday, May 3, with doors opening at 6.30am.

Tickets are $45 each and can be purchased at Humanitix.com. For more information follow Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Canterbury on
Facebook.