Big Climb for Big Brothers

Big Climb for Big Brothers

Ten year old Aidan loves running around the sports field at West Spreydon school and when his Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteer mentor, Lee Sampson comes to school to hang out with him each week, Lee certainly has his work cut out keeping up with him.

But roles were reversed this week when the two assaulted the walls at Clip'N Climb at The Roxx Climbing Centre as part of Big Brothers Big Sisters’ fundraising event, The Big Climb.

With the goal of climbing the virtual height of Mount Everest (8840m) on the walls of Clip'N Climb, Lee - a keen climber - finally discovered that he could teach his mentee a thing or two:

"Aidan's a great kid, and very competitive on the sports field where he tends to clean me up, so it was great to have an advantage for once."

Lee has been mentoring Aidan for just over a year.

The BBBS programme aims to build resilience in young people through one-to-one support of an adult Mentor. There are both primary school and community mentoring programmes.

According to Tim Webster, Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Board Chairman, the event was an outstanding success: "Thanks to a group of volunteers who stepped up to take part in the climbathon, we raised just over $10,000, which was double our original target. Those funds will go towards finding mentors for more young people here in Christchurch."

Photo attached of Lee Sampson and Aidan. Child's surname not to be published.

For more information on Big Brothers Big Sisters go to www.bbbbs.co.nz

ENDS

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