IF you are young and need someone to talk to, you have come to the right address by knocking on Big Brothers Big Sisters’ door.

This donor and volunteer supported mentoring network is returning to Wangaratta this year, after having ceased a few years ago due to a lack of funding.

The network allows children aged seven to 17 in need to be matched to a volunteer, who will provide one-to-one long-term mentoring.

“We need to raise enough money, not to just have the program here for a year, but to make it sustainable, for the benefit of our young people,” said Rachel Harrop, Rural City of Wangaratta youth development officer.

John Houghton just joined Big Brothers Big Sisters in Wangaratta as a mentor.

“Big Brothers Big Sisters needs to get going again because there is a need for it here, young people need someone they can turn to in times of need,” he said.

Mr Houghton and his wife have been fostering young people in need of support for 15 years now, so joining Big Brothers Big Sisters was a natural step.

“Everybody as they grow up needs someone to talk to, and some youth don’t have a maternal or a paternal figure to turn to,” Mr Houghton said.

“That is why I am looking forward to mentoring a kid within the Big Brothers Big Sisters network, to prevent young people at-risk to slip through the cracks.

“I just look after everybody and it feels good.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters is organising a fundraising concert tomorrow night at 6pm at the Wangaratta Club.

Each ticket costs $10 and proceeds will fund the Big Brothers Big Sisters network.

The night will include live music performances by Intensity, Ruby Jane, Woven Hearts, Emerson Lavis, Matt and Bella, and Sound Canvas and will be compered by Tarrawingee personality Russell Green.

There will also be lucky door prizes, an auction and raffles with prizes happening throughout the night.

Meals and drinks will also be available.

Alternatively you can book a table or find out more about the event by calling the Wangaratta Club on 5721 3711.

There are limited spaces due to the current COVID restrictions so get in quick.

If you would like to donate to Big Brothers Big Sisters or learn more about the program go to https://bigbrothersbigsisters.grassrootz.com/bring-big-brothers-big-sisters-mentoring-back-to-wangaratta.