With an air temperature of -10 C that felt like -15 C with wind chill, jumping into a bin of cold water is likely the last thing most people would do.
But first responders from Brantford Police, Brant OPP and County of Brant Fire did just that on Saturday morning in support of Special Olympics Ontario.
“It’s going to be exhilarating,” said Cst. Melvin Monteblanca of Brantford Police who was joined by his daughters Sophia, 10 and Zoe, age 7. “This is (also) going to be a way to teach the girls water safety, that when you get in you have to get right out. ”
Participants climbed a ladder to scaffolding surrounding a large metal bin filled with water, where firefighters were already stationed for safety.
Sgt. Amber Jackson recruited colleagues to form the Brantford Police team.
She was especially proud of her nine-year-old son Jackson Baxter who raised $2,093 for the event. He was presented a pair of air buds and a case as the top fundraiser.
“He likes to be the first in the late at the cottage in the spring, and the last one out in November,” she explained.
Following the plunge with her son, Jackson said “it was colder than I expected, but all good.”
Baxter said he would do it again.
“I like to play sports and I want everyone to have the opportunity to play sports,” said Baxter of his reasons for wanting to raise money for Special Olympics Ontario.
Special Olympics is the world’s largest movement dedicated to promoting respect, acceptance, inclusion, and human dignity for people with intellectual disabilities through sport.
Detective Christine McCallum is no stranger to cold water, having swam in Lake Ontario years ago.
“I’ve had a few incidents where I’ve had to do life-saving measures where the water was really cold, and I had to go in to assist,” she explained.
As part of the Brantford Special Olympics community council, McCallum, and Brant OPP Cst. Jonathan Bueckert have been organizing fundraising events that have included a Donut Day on Friday, the Polar Plunge, and the Law Enforcement Torch Run to create awareness and raise funds.
Daneka Miller and Jon-Ross Todd of The Fit Effect in Paris also took part in the plunge.
Wrapped in towels following their plunge, Miller said they had raised about $1,200 for Special Olympics.
“Life is all about having fun and doing things you’ve never tried before,” said Todd. “Taking that leap of faith, that dive, was a phenomenal experience. I have no regrets at all.”
Bueckert, the Law Enforcement Torch Run co-ordinator for the Ontario Provincial Police said he did a virtual polar plunge last year at Pittock Lake in Woodstock that was filmed and posted online to generate pledges.
“I do cold exposure a few times a week,” he said. “I save up ice cubes from my fridge icemaker, put them in my tub and draw (the coldest) water I can. There’s a bunch of supposed health benefits. That, or I’m just crazy.”