When The Royal Gazette senior reporter Sirkka Huish attended the Big Brothers Big Sisters Christmas party, the last thing she expected was to become the story.Attending with her Little Sister, Mia Webb, Sirkka had planned to scribble down a few notes on this year's award winners for a story, but that plan fell apart when she was named Big Sister of the Year herself.Oblivious to what was going on Sirkka said she tried to continue taking notes on what was being said until she noticed Mia was blocking her ears.It was only when Mia whispered “these are my words”, that Sirkka caught on and put her pen down.Sirkka said: “It was obvious to anyone sitting near us at the Christmas party that I didn't have a clue what was going on.“Mia knew straight away as she recognised the first few words of her letter but it took me a while longer to catch on.“It came as a complete surprise, but a much appreciated surprise. I didn't become a Big Sister for the recognition but it's touching to know how much you are appreciated.”Sirkka, 36, of Pembroke, has been matched with nine-year-old Mia of Devonshire for more than two years. Mia nominated her Big Sister for the award saying she was “kind, sweet, very lovable, loyal and in my opinion royal”.Mia's touching letter went on to call Sirkka “the greatest big sister” highlighting her inner and outer beauty, her silk-like hair and her “wonderful, spiritual positive and consciousness attitude that radiates off your body to mine”.Sirkka, who is from England, decided to become a Big Sister as she wanted to give back to the community and ensure that Bermuda's future generations have positive role models.She usually sees Mia once a week and they go on outings anywhere from the beach to the movie theatre or simply hang out together.“I wanted to get involved to make a difference in a child's life,” Sirkka said. “Doing the simplest of things together can make Mia's face light up as they are things that she may not otherwise have the chance to experience. I enjoy spending time with her just as much as she enjoys being with me as it's great to see things through the eyes of a child.“But a lot of the time it's not what we do together, it's just about being there for Mia. That one-on-one time with her proves to be invaluable.”Mia, who goes to West Pembroke Primary School, says she enjoys spending time with Sirkka even though she sometimes takes her on “really long walks that no other person could ever make”.She said: “I really like having a Big Sister, I love being with her. It's good fun and it means I am not lonely.“Otherwise I would just stay home and be bored.“I miss her when she goes on vacation. I hope Sirkka will stay with me forever and ever.”Mia said she wants to be a doctor or a nurse when she grows up, and that she has become “a lot more chatty” since she met Sirkka.She added: “People get confused as I always talk about Sirkka and say she is my Big Sister. They say they didn't know I had a sister, just a brother. I just say ‘now you know'. I want everyone to know about her.”Mia's mom Monica Webb signed her daughter up to Big Brothers Big Sisters after somebody suggested she give the mentoring programme a try. She was worried about being busy at work and wanted her daughter to have that “something extra” in her life “to move her forward”.Mia was paired up with Sirkka in September 2009 and Monica describes it as “a really great match”.Monica said: “Big Brothers Big Sisters is a really good idea. It's had a positive influence on Mia, she was a little shy but now she talks to anyone.“Mia is always very happy to spend time with Sirkka, she's never said she doesn't want to see her, in fact it's all she talks about!“She's very proud of her Big Sister, she seems to learn a lot from her and looks out for her name in the paper.”