Mentors lined the steps of City Hall yesterday for the inaugural ?Thank Your Mentor Day?.

?It is very exciting... to have all the mentors recognised by the leaders of our country,? said Clare Mello, YouthNet executive director.

January is National Mentoring Month in the US and Canada and Ms Mello said she was happy that YouthNet was bringing recognition to Bermuda?s mentors.

Hamilton Mayor Lawson Mapp told the 180 mentors gathered for the occasion that he wouldn?t be where he was today without help from mentors.

Government Senate Leader Michael Scott, representing Premier Alex Scott who was off the Island, thanked the mentors and businesses that have helped employees.

?A mentor is an adult, who along with parents, provide young people with support, counsel, friendship, reinforcement and a constructive example,? Sen. Scott said.

He thanked the mentors along with several businesses who have contributed their personal resources including employees. Bank of Bermuda Foundation, Ernst and Young and PricewaterhouseCoopers contributed to the programme and representatives from the companies encouraged members of the community to join and become mentors.

Opposition Leader Grant Gibbons was also on hand to salute the mentors adding that public service plays an important part in the community.

?Mentors can play a crucial role in the success of young people,? he said.

YouthNet is a school-based mentoring programme designed to enhance the lives of public school students through mentoring.