Ask 14-year-old Jason Symonds why his mentor Ian Fulton deserves the title of ‘Big Brother of the Year’, and he will tell you it’s because they’re the ‘perfect match’.

The two have bonded over the past five years through their shared love for football and fishing.

But the relationship also goes much deeper than that.

In a letter nominating Dr Fulton, Jason said his mentor takes time out of his busy schedule to support him at football games on Saturdays. He has also welcomed some of the teenager’s friends into their activities and even treats him like “a part of the family”.

The Berkeley Institute student said his mentor had been a “great influence in [his] life” and described him as being “kind, helpful, caring and smart”.

Dr Fulton was yesterday named Big Brother of the Year at a special presentation at City Hall, marking the end of January’s Mentoring Month in Bermuda.

Carla Simmons was named Big Sister of the Year, for her role mentoring sisters Makaila and Kijah Albouy.

For Dr Fulton, the award was “totally unexpected”, but it meant a lot to be recognised.

“It surprised me. And I felt chuffed and really pleased that [Jason] could make it to the award presentation,” he said.

“I didn’t think he would be there because of his school commitments but he showed up right before the award so it made me feel really good. I was very happy and also grateful for Jason because he made that possible.”

Dr Fulton become a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters five years ago after seeing a flyer about the charity in the mail, highlighting the need for volunteers.

“One day I looked at it and saw they needed 60 or 70 mentors,” he said. “It was just around the time when I had started working a little less and had stopped working in obstetrics to focus on gynaecology, so I thought to myself ‘I can do this and make time to give back’.

“I figured someone had to do something and decided I would bite the bullet and do it.

“I also knew of someone on the board and they gave me more information on the programme, so that helped as well.”

Dr Fulton said it had been really interesting to see how much the relationship with Jason had grown and changed over the years.

At first it was a little challenging considering the big age difference and the fact they come from different backgrounds, however, their common love for sports helped to bridge those gaps, he explained.

“When we first got together he was quite a small little guy and we just kind of played sports together and stuff like that,” he told The Royal Gazette.

“And now he is a young man and from that perspective things have changed a whole lot. He has his life now and is particularly good at football so I try to support him at that.

“We have also become a lot closer and have a better understanding about each other and where we come from and what our values are. And I think that has helped the relationship overall.”

The most rewarding part of the relationship for Dr Fulton has been seeing life through a young person’s eyes.

He also takes pride in watching Jason excel in football and go on to represent the Island overseas in the Under-15 national team.

“I just want to see him be happy and successful in what he chooses to do,” the mentor said. “Jason is a very bright and intelligent guy and he could do an awful lot with that. He is also really good at football and has great talent there, so I just hope he can take advantage of that and not waste it.”