In a bid to raise money for the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra, its Executive Director Daniel Mills plans to run on every road in Kamloops over the next few months.
Daniel Mills, an amateur endurance runner, says he was looking for a new running challenge that would also support the Symphony which – like a number of other organizations – is facing a drop in revenue due to COVID-19 restrictions.
His 1,330 km endeavour titled ‘Running The Symphony’ will kick off at 7 p.m. next Friday, August 14, at Westsyde Secondary School, which was the site of the first ever KSO rehearsal back in 1976.
“We figured we might as well start with something relevant to the symphony and at this point, the plan is likely to end at the Sagebrush Threatre where we normally do our regular concerts,” Mills told NL News.
He plans to cover about 30 to 50 km by running at least three times a week, weather dependent, and he hopes to finish sometime in the spring.
“We are initially targeting to raise $15,000. We expect and hope to raise more than that,” Mills added.
“I’m quite an avid runner so a lot of this is the logistical planning of instead running my usual routes, to figure out how to cover off all of the streets and then as we get closer to the end, making sure that I did in fact reach all of the roads that I need to.”
He says as a new resident in Kamloops, running on every street is a way to get to know the city better, while also showing that the Symphony really belongs to everyone.
“If there are any guests in Kamloops that like running and have some significance [to the KSO], I’m eager to invite them along for certain key neighbourhoods or roads, if it works out,” Mills said.
People who want to support Mills’ campaign can do so online here. Donations will be eligible for a tax receipt, and the KSO says all of the money that is raised will help ensure they can continue to operate a modified 2020/21 season.
As well, he says the first $5,000 donated by all first-time donors will be matched by longtime patron Rae Nixon as a way to encourage new people to donate to the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra.
