Cobourg Police Service (CPS) and Port Hope Police Service (PHPS) partnered with Community Living Respite Care Northumberland (Community Living ) to host the 2023 Cobourg/Port Hope Polar Plunge, joining police services, communities, and individuals across Ontario to support Special Olympics Ontario. 

Police services across Ontario have a strong relationship with Special Olympics, participating in events through the Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) since 1987. These events raise awareness and funds to support Special Olympics programming and help enrich the lives of athletes with intellectual disabilities through the transformative power of sport. 

Over the past 36 years, the LETR has evolved to encompass a variety of fundraising platforms, including the annual Torch Run (in June) and the Polar Plunge. The Polar Plunge is one of the largest fundraising events of the calendar year for the LETR. This year’s fundraising goal for the Ontario Polar Plunge campaign is $500,000.

The 2023 Cobourg/Port Hope Polar Plunge raised $27,110 towards the annual campaign goal. 

To kick off the event on March 23rd at the Cobourg Marina, local Special Olympians Phillip Mitchell and Braden Graham joined event organizers Constable Josalyn Hilts (CPS) and Constable Tammie Staples (PHPS) as the first to ‘take the plunge.’ 

After the CPS and PHPS teams took their turn, the Cobourg Fire Department, Town of Cobourg By-law Enforcement, Port Hope Fire Department, and Northumberland Paramedics also jumped in, making the return to in-person polar plunge even more memorable and evoking some friendly competition between emergency services. 

Members of Cobourg Town Council, Port Hope Municipal Council, YMCA Northumberland staff, and community members also took the plunge, raised funds, and join the event to cheer on the participants.