Becoming a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bermuda was a natural fit for Alanah Bacon.

The 25-year-old Pembroke resident enjoyed spending time with children and wanted to give back to the community.

She and her “Little” Kiera Trott hit it off right away and now Ms Bacon will be announced as “Big Sister of the Year” at a special ceremony this afternoon.

“I am very excited and honoured to have been chosen as Big Sister of the Year,” she told The Royal Gazette.

“Being a Big Sister is fun and rewarding; not only do you foster a friendship with your ‘Little’ but you also gain a new family member.”

Kiera, 7, added: “Alanah means a lot to me. She does a lot of things with me. I love when she takes me to the beach. She is the best sister I could ever have. I love you Alanah.”

Ms Bacon, an assistant underwriter on the professional lines team at Endurance speciality Insurance Ltd, signed up to the programme shortly after graduating from university.

“Kiera and I connected from the first day that we met and our bond has grown stronger ever since,” she said.

Describing Kiera as kind, affectionate, helpful, energetic, she said most importantly of all Kiera had a big heart. “I look forward to that moment when I show up at her house to pick her up for our play date and she runs and jumps into my arms.”

“Kiera’s favourite way to spend an afternoon is playing on a playground or having a tea party at my house; these are things we do quite often.

“We also go for walks on the beach, bake cookies, go swimming, attend local events and last year we even participated in the Relay for Life together.”

Ms Bacon has also become a Big Sister to Kiera’s 12-year-old brother Kaori, who is still waiting to be matched with a Big Brother.

“My goal this year is to find him a Big Brother so that he too can have a special bond with someone that can relate to what he may be going through better than I can.”

Kiera’s mother, Felicia Nichols, said Ms Bacon’s big smile and warm spirit instantly gave her peace of mind that she would be a great match for her daughter.

“Alanah immediately made time with Kiera and when I told her that my son Kaori did not have a ‘big’ yet she gladly took him under her wing as well,” she said. “She has developed an incredible bond with both of my children and I am very happy that she is in our lives. She is very deserving of being awarded as Big of the Year.”

With January marking Mentoring Month, BBBS will host the Thank Your Mentor event at City Hall from 12.30pm to 1.30pm today.

Organisers will highlight their mentors and name the Big Brother and Big Sister of the year. The public are invited to come out and celebrate mentors in Bermuda.