Q V Interactors Beat Beethoven

BEAT BEETHOVEN

Maestro Ludwig van Beethoven appeared in Dunblane again, after an absence of more than a year.  He was at Queen Victoria School in Dunblane, responding to an invitation from the School’s Interactors – junior Rotarians linked with the Bridge of Allan and Dunblane Rotary Club.  The Interactors had initiated and helped co-ordinate a Beat Beethoven Fun Run in which those taking part are challenged to run 5K, or walk 2.75K, in the time it takes to play Beethoven’s famous Fifth Symphony – about 33 minutes. Runners were encouraged to dress up in fancy dress, which resulted in an amazing variety of imaginative and bizarre costumes.

On a day which threatened rain, 286 young people (essentially all the pupils in the School) gathered at the Sports Ground for a warm-up.  As in previous events, the Maestro chased away the rain, and the runners were able to complete the course without costumes getting wet.

The objective of the event was to raise money for two charities – the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) and Parkinson’s UK.  With the benefit of generous sponsorship from parents and friends, the outcome is likely to exceed last year’s total of £2,300.  So enthusiastic were the young people, and their teachers, that it has been decided to make this an annual event.