OPP Sgt. Ed Sanchuk had to be held back from getting his feet wet in the chilly waters of Lake Erie on Tuesday.
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Sanchuk, the community safety coordinator for OPP West Region has issued a challenge to everyone in Norfolk County.
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The Norfolk County Polar Plunge takes place Saturday, March 23 at 2 pm at Turkey Point beach to raise funds for Special Olympics Ontario.
“Right now, the plungers are down, and the funds are down,” Sanchuk said. “We are hoping our community can come together to raise some much-needed funds for Special Olympics and to support all our athletes.”
Sanchuk is calling on all Norfolk County firefighters, paramedics, and local businesses to put teams together for the frigid dip into Lake Erie.
“Registration starts at 1 pm and you’re in the water at 2 pm Once you’re in you’re going to want to get out,” he said with a chuckle. “I’ve been lucky enough to get $575 in donations over the last couple of days, so for every $1,000 I raise I’ll go back in the lake.
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“The one year I thought I raised $5,000 and went in five times.”
Funds raised with help Special Olympians compete at the provincial level. Several athletes qualified before the pandemic, and another qualifier has since been held that will see 12 swimmers and one bowler from Simcoe head to the provincials. The average cost to send an athlete to the provincial competition is $250.
“The whole idea is that this supports thousands of athletes,” Sanchuk explained.
Currently, the Norfolk County Polar Plunge is at 15 percent of its fundraising goal.
To register as a participant, visit polarplunge.ca.
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