Media release
18 November 2005

‘Big Buddy’ nominated for community award

Mentoring agency Big Buddy is just one of the organisations nominated in the Infratil-Waitakere City Community Awards.

The awards are open to community organisations providing services in the community.

Nominated by Warwick Pudney QSM, Big Buddy matches volunteer male mentors with young fatherless boys to give them positive male role models for their lives.

Without mentoring, many would be more susceptible to negative lifestyles such as crime, drugs and violence.

“Big Buddy works with the simple philosophy that boys need good male role models to become good men themselves,” says CEO Richard Aston.

“Big Buddy knows that most men know this in their hearts and this is why so many are stepping forward to make a world of difference to one boys’ life.”

A TVNZ Close Up feature in September 2004 resulted in 55 men offering to become mentors, with 45 since being matched with a buddy.

Now 60 people are on the mentor waiting list and 90 volunteers contribute more than 14,000 hours each year to keep the organisation growing.

Big Buddy is looking forward to expanding its services Auckland-wide.

If you know of an organisation that deserves to be nominated for a community award like Big Buddy, fill out a form online at www.waitakere.govt.nz or www.infratil.com/community_awards.htm and post or fax to Barbara Cade at the Waitakere City Council, Private Bag 93109, Henderson, Waitakere City or 836 8087.

Organisations can also nominate themselves under one of five categories; Heritage and Environment, Health and Well-being, Educational and Child Youth Development, Arts and Culture or Sport and Leisure.

Nominations close December 1.

ENDS

***The Infratil-Waitakere City Community Awards***

The Infratil-Waitakere City Community Awards are not grants. They recognise hard working voluntary groups in the community – from sports clubs to school PTA’s to not-for-profit health organisations.

As well as local and national recognition, the winning groups receive financial reward. This year, Infratil and the Waitakere City Council have more than $5,000 to inject into outstanding voluntary groups in Waitakere.

It’s easy to nominate a group or organisation for the Infratil-Waitakere City Community Awards. Simply fill out the nomination form online at www.waitakere.govt.nz or www.infratil.com/community_awards.htm and post or fax it to the Waitakere City Council. You can even nominate your own group!

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