Polar plungers ‘Freezin for a Reason’ in Oshawa in support of Special Olympic athletes
Published March 20, 2024 at 5:34 pm
More than 60 plungers braved the cold water (and snow) at the Durham Police ‘Freezin for a Reason’ Polar Plunge Tuesday, raising more than $25,000 for Special Olympic athletes in the process.
A giant bin was set up outside the Tribute Communities Centre in downtown Oshawa and filled with water just before the plungers started to arrive.
Durham Police Chief Peter Moreira gave Special Olympics athlete and top fundraiser Andrew Boyd the honour of taking the first leap. The entire DRPS Command team followed, with Moreira, Deputy Chiefs’ Dean Bertrim, Chris Kirkpatrick and Kim Yeandle, and CAO Stan MacLellan all braving the icy water for the great cause.
Decorated Special Olympics athlete Victoria McDonald from Uxbridge also took the plunge. Being a multiple gold medalist swimmer has its advantages when braving the icy water, Moreira noted.
Durham Police thanked the new recruit class, who all took a dip and raised more than $1,600 before even starting on the job, as well as the Law Enforcement Torch Run Committee and the other plungers, donors and athletes who helped raised money for Special Olympics.
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Donations can be made until the end of March at https://soopolarplunge.crowdchange.ca/54360
