Making a friend for life!

Hugely rewarding!

For Nelson man Tim Cross, the best thing about becoming a “Big Brother” mentor has been making a friend for life. He and his “match” Jordan, 16, are now moving into their tenth year of friendship, thanks to Big Brothers Big Sisters Nelson Tasman.

“My journey with Jordan began on the day of his seventh birthday. This lively young boy was only just up to my waist, had no front teeth and could barely reach the pedals on his first two-wheeler bicycle,” says Tim. “Nine years later we are still together, and he is now almost as tall as me, shaves daily and has asked me to teach him to drive a car.”

Tim says it has been a “hugely rewarding” time in his life and encourages others to give it a go. “Nine years is a long time and Jordan has grown so much in so many ways in the time we have had together. He has become a very active young man who is involved with many community activities and he has a very positive outlook on life.

“The change from the young and shy, socially awkward and reticent seven-year-old to the now confident and focussed young man has been a delight to watch, and a pleasure for me to realise I have had a positive change in his life.”