CALGARY – More than 100 people braved the icy cold water at Arbour Lake on Sunday for a great cause, while hundreds of spectators cheered them on.
“The Polar Plunge” is a fundraiser presented by the Alberta Law Enforcement in support of Special Olympics Alberta and 3,000 athletes with an intellectual disability.
Plungers raise a minimum of $50 to dive into frozen Alberta lake water, while a winter party takes place around them.
Members of the Calgary Police Service took the plunge in the city’s northwest.
The event was MC’d by Global’s Leslie Horton, who helped encourage the reluctant jumpers.
Some of participants included the top brass with the Calgary Police Service, including police chief Roger Chaffin.
Fish and Wildlife officers, sheriffs, peace officers and several MLAs, also took part.
The money goes to support daily sport programs for the athletes in over 140 communities across the province.