Fortune favours the bold, as the saying goes, and if that's the case, the entire community is invited to come and "get bold and cold" to empower Special Olympics BC athletes at this year's Polar Plunge in South Surrey on March 1.
The annual fundraising event, held at Blackie Spit in Crescent Beach, involves local Special Olympics athletes and members of the community — including Surrey Police Service officers and staff — plunging themselves into the frigid ocean waters for a cause.
"We encourage the community to come out and support us, whether just by watching or participating themselves ... our whole thing is, the more the merrier," said Clem Andrews, Surrey fundraising co-ordinator also a Special Olympics coach.
Taking place on Saturday, March 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., participants will likely be entering the water right at 10 a.m., he noted, so getting there earlier is encouraged for those who are thinking of taking a chilly dip. Speeches from local personalities are expected to start at about 9:40 a.m.
With the Polar Plunge website encouraging everyone to "get bold and cold," Andrews is hoping families and community members will show up in force to support local athletes.
"Each athlete has their own donation page that people can donate to ... every dollar that's raised in Surrey from these athletes —100 per cent of that goes to the Surrey (Special Olympics) local," Andrews said, giving kudos to Surrey Police Service officers and staff for their support, and for hosting the event.
"The SPS doing this for us so we can have our programs ... for the gyms we need, for the fields we use, for different sports. (The funds raised help) pay for uniforms, it pays for insurance — it all helps. This is how we're able to send our athletes to provincial games and world games we're just all volunteers it does go a long way."
Andrews, whose daughter is a Special Olympics BC athlete who competes in several events, has participated in the event twice before, and knows just how frigid the ocean waters are at this time of year, but added the funds they help raise make it worth it.
“This is more than just about SPS officers jumping into cold water for a few minutes, it’s about supporting athletes who inspire us everyday with their dedication and determination,” said Surrey Police Service Deputy Chief Const. Mike LeSage.
“Across British Columbia and Canada over a million dollars has been raised in support of Special Olympics athletes thanks to the generosity of our communities. We are proud to take the plunge and show our support for the Special Olympics movement by taking this year’s Polar Plunge.”
