Run to support youth

VOLUNTEERS and staff from Big Brothers Big Sisters in Hallam took part in Run Melbourne recently.
More than 100 volunteers ran in the half marathon, 10km and 5km runs to raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters programs.
Some of the team dressed up in “weird and wacky” costumes in the hope of scoring an extra $1000 for the charity.
Big Brothers Big Sisters is celebrating 30 years of operation in Melbourne this year, and has been running within the Outer South East for the past five years.
Big Brothers Big Sisters offers a variety of mentoring options for vulnerable and disadvantaged young people by matching them with adult volunteer mentors.
Program manager Rebecca Wolstenholme said the past year had been a real struggle for the organisation to keep servicing the Casey community.
“We have had to cut back on staff, due to limited finances, but have still managed to grow our services and add a group mentoring program – The Big Brotherhood – to our service delivery,” she said.
“Our organisation currently provides services to almost 100 young people in the outer south east, with a further 90 young people on the waiting list.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters is in the process of setting up working groups within the City of Casey, City of Greater Dandenong and Cardinia Shire in the hope of promoting and fundraising for the program. For details, volunteering or joining a working group call 8795 7999 or visit www.bbbsosem.org.au