Taking the plunge for Special Olympics Ontario

Hundreds of people signed up for a Polar Plunge in Cambridge to support Special Olympics Ontario.

The sun was shining but the water was frigid as hundreds of people signed up for a big event in support of Special Olympics Ontario.

The Waterloo Regional Police Service held a Polar Plunge at their headquarters on Maple Grove Road in Cambridge.

The first volunteers took the leap of faith at 1 p.m., testing the waters for everyone else who watched on from the sidelines, steeling their nerve for the icy dip.

“We have about 200 plungers today all signed up as individuals, groups and we have people from all over the community supporting Special Olympics. This is the sixth annual [event] that we’re supporting Special Olympics. It’s an amazing time to come together and take that cold plunge and come together as one community,” Chief Mark Crowell said.

All proceeds raised during the event are being donated to Special Olympics Ontario.

“We’re just on the cusp of $33,000, so it is a great year and we’re meeting our fundraising goals. And we know some more money can trickle in as the day goes on and the weekend progresses,” Crowell said.

The Special Olympics Ontario Summer Games will be taking place in Brant County, Brantford and Six Nations of the Grand River from July 10 until July 13 this year.

Thousands of athletes, coaches and supports are expected to head to the area for the events.

Some of the games include softball, track and field and gold.