After years of giving back to the community, local Gord Bamford received a national award for his continuous efforts.

Bamford is the recipient of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Alumni Award, an award that recognizes an individual who has given meaningful contributions to the Big Brothers Big Sisters movement. 

Growing up in the program and having a “Big Brother", Bamford said he wouldn’t be where he is today without that guidance.

"It`s still kind of soaking in. I had a "Big Brother" growing up and he was into rodeo and all that stuff and maybe the reason I got involved in country music or got me started in it anyways."

"It was just a huge honour to get that."

Bamford, who grew up with separated parents, said the program meant a lot to him.

"I was born in Australia, but my mom grew up here in Lacombe and moved back here when I was five. My mom and dad split up, so it was kind of a father figure/big brother in my life. It was a time in my life that obviously my mom made the right decision."

"It was a void that got filled and I did a lot of great things with him."

Bamford was nominated by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lacombe, who he recently donated $100,000 to, over the next five years.

He received the award at the Gord Bamford Charity Golf Classic Gala Wednesday night.