It may have been virtual as it didn’t involve jumping into nearby Lake Ontario, but to the 16 men and women of the Cobourg Police Service (CPS) who took part in the 2022 Virtual Polar Plunge on Wednesday afternoon, it was still a frigid, shiver-inducing experience.
Members the CPS took off their uniforms in favour of some summer attire as they subjected themselves to the bone-chilling effects of a large bucket filled with cold water and snow dumped over their heads while sitting in a chair in the parking lot behind the King Street police headquarters.
The icy-cold H2O dousing, however, was all for a good cause as Cobourg police personnel raised more than $3,500 for Special Olympics Ontario from the event.
Sergeant Mike Richardson, an event organizer and one of those who showed great fortitude in absorbing the bucket of cold water, said he was chilled, but otherwise doing okay.
“I think my hat may have saved me,” said Sgt. Richardson of his rather large winter hat with ear flaps he wore for the event. “It was really exhilarating. When I was loading the buckets there was ice chunks and snow and there might have been a little bit of pebbles and dirt.
“I have a lot of girth, so my core temperature doesn’t drop that much…I’m ok, but nothing a donut and maybe a cup of coffee or hot chocolate won’t solve,” he added.
In groups of four, each of the police service members braced themselves for the delivery of the bucket of ice water and then retreated to the sidelines to an awaiting towel or sweatshirt. The ‘Main Event’ came in the form of Police Chief Paul VandeGraaf who, in full police uniform, was doused with eight buckets of ice water almost simultaneously.
Sgt. Richardson said members of the police service rallied together to come up with a fundraising idea for their pet charity — Special Olympics Ontario. But, instead of jumping in the lake to raise money, they instead opted for something less grandiose, but still highly effective, because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“With the pandemic, we wanted to do an event, but we didn’t know how large we should go, so we thought ‘let’s keep it in-house and virtual’. Next year, we’ll hopefully do something grander. Today was really good,” said Sgt. Richardson.
Sgt. Richardson gave a special shout-out to CPS employee Julie Liscombe who raised $1,250 in donations.
The CPS has been raising funds for Special Olympics Ontario for several decades and members take part in the Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run each year.
Sgt. Richardson said he hopes the CPS can do a Polar Plunge at the lake next year to raise even more funds for the Special Olympics.
Donations are still open and the CPS hopes to raise more than the $3,500 raised at Wednesday’s Virtual Polar Plunge. You can donate at polarplunge.ca.
Written by: Alan Rivett
