Best buddies

What is your definition of a buddy?

Are they the same as friends or is their a subtle difference?

I think that there may be. These badges are used at school to identify the children who have been chosen to be buddies on the palyground.

This means that they look out for others who have no one to ply with, help to sort out arguments and help when someone is hurt.

You don't have to be somebody's friend to do that. Do you?