Twelve-year-old Kevin Moreno wrote a letter to The Royal Gazette about his Big Brother and part of it read: "My big brother is someone I can always count on other than family. He is more than a big brother to me, he is someone I can look to as a father."

That person is Winfield Symons, a 53-year-old carpenter and construction worker, who takes time out each week to call or visit his little brothers.

Mr. Symons said: "I got introduced to Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Bermuda by a very good friend of mine, she encouraged me to become a Big Brother. I don't know what she saw, but it's quite interesting I got involved and I am glad I did."

Now Mr. Symons makes it a priority to regularly check up on his 'littles' whether they need someone to watch their soccer game or attend a Parent Teacher Association (PTA) meeting.

These seemingly small things have made a world of difference to his little brother of three years, Kevin Moreno.

His letter to this newspaper also said: "He checks up on me all the time. He makes sure I am doing good in school and at home. He even comes to my school to see me and takes interest in both my work and my sporting abilities.

"If my mom calls him when I get out of hand I am sure to get a call from him right back or even a visit. He takes his role to me to heart and to that my mom and I are very, very thankful."

Mr. Symons became a 'Big' to Kevin three years ago and plays soccer and motocross and goes fishing with him. He said: "I think of him as a son."

According to Mr. Symons, Kevin has matured tremendously in the past three years. The youngster is paying more attention to his school work and is not as fidgety as he used to be.

"Before the boy always wanted to play, play, play, but now he is more serious about life. He's also great on a field, as far as soccer is concerned. I have a great deal of respect for him, he is always willing to learn new things".

After watching his relationship with Kevin blossom, Mr. Symons agreed to take on two more littles in June. He said: "I figured 'let me fill the shoes of someone who can't make it'."

His seven-year old little does not want to be named. They've only met on one occasion but Mr. Symons calls him regularly. He also makes routine visits to nine-year-old Nadir Young.

"The other little one, I go to see him quite often because he invited me a few times to see him dance around Hamilton Princess.

"Also I went to his PTA meeting recently and found out they added me on the all-female board down there. He's a great little kid too," he said.

There is currently a great need for male mentors in the Big Brother and Big Sisters of Bermuda programme. More than 100 little brothers are looking to be paired with a big brother.

To find out more about the programme visit http://www.bbbs.bm/.