Chilly November polar dip raises money for Special Olympians

The nippy November weather didn't stop several people in St. John's from taking a polar dip on Sunday.

Fifteen swimmers jumped in the waters of Rotary Sunshine Park as part of an annual fundraiser for Special Olympians.

"Your nerves get you before you get into the water, but after that initial shock of the freezing cold water, once you get out it's fine," said Lynette Wells, local director of the Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge.

Several law enforcement employees and Special Olympics participants took part in the plunge, to help raise money for the more than 600 Special Olympics athletes in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Wells said she got involved with the fundraiser through her work and quickly came to love working with the Special Olympians.

"My first event I went to I was hooked," she said.

"These guys are so genuinely sweet. They appreciate everything you do, and it just gives you that good feeling that what you're doing is good for these people."

Wells said she doesn't know how much money they raised from the polar dip yet, but said every person taking the plunge had to raise a minimum of $100 to participate.

Every year, law enforcement officers around the world raise money for special Olympians through the Law Enforcement Torch Run and its affiliated events.

The fundraiser is now in its 25th year in Newfoundland and Labrador, with more than 400 people participating.