The Cobourg-Port Hope Polar Plunge once again mixed icy water with warm-hearted community support, raising $18,730 as of Tuesday afternoon after over 80 plungers took part Sunday at Cobourg Marina.
The annual fundraiser supports Special Olympics Ontario and brought together police, fire, paramedics, volunteers, community leaders as well as supporters and sponsors for a cold but upbeat day on the waterfront.
Port Hope Police Constable Tammie Staples says the event drew strong support from both returning and first-time participants.
Port Hope Police Chief Tim Farquharson said the event shows just how closely emergency services and local partners work together in Northumberland, noting the event continues to benefit from the teamwork of long-time organizing duo Tammie Staples and Cobourg Police Constable Jocelyn Hilts.
Farquharson says thanks to the support of community leaders as well as emergency responders like Northumberland paramedics, and fire services in Cobourg, Port Hope and beyond, the results are pretty incredible.
Staples said organizers also got a big assist from Andrew Hall, CEO of the Port Hope and District Chamber of Commerce, who stepped in at the last minute to handle announcing duties.
Staples says they could not have done it without the support of Port Hope Police, Cobourg Police, OPP, fire services, EMS, all the plungers and spectators, and generous sponsors including Giant Tiger and Boston Pizza.
Donations can still be made through the event fundraising page while it remains open at https://soopolarplunge.crowdchange.ca/127983
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
