(Submitted to Quinte News)
On March 9, Cobourg Police Service (CPS) and Port Hope Police Service (PHPS) partnered with Community Living Respite Care Northumberland (Community Living ) to host the 2025 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. The Polar Plunge is one of the largest fundraising events of the calendar year for
the LETR. This year’s Ontario Polar Plunge campaign fundraising goal is $1,000,000.
The 2025 Cobourg/Port Hope Polar Plunge raised $ $25,906 towards the annual campaign goal. To kick off the event at the Cobourg Marina, local Special Olympians Phillip Mitchell, Max Lagrois, and Robert Smith joined event organizers Constable Josalyn Hilts (CPS) and Constable Tammie Staples (PHPS) as the first to ‘take the plunge.’ Chief Paul VandeGraaf and Chief Tim Farquharson followed, and then the teams and
community plungers had the chance to brave the cold.
Cobourg Port Hope Polar Plunge, March 9, 2025. (Photo: submitted)
Thank you to all the local community organizations, businesses, and community members who braved the cold water and helped us reach our fundraising goal.
We could not be more grateful to our generous community for donating to a great cause and coming out to cheer and celebrate. Thank you to the Town of Cobourg staff for their time and expertise in helping prepare our plunge site and provide facilities for participants to clean off and warm up. On-site and in the water, Cobourg Fire and Northumberland Paramedics were instrumental in ensuring participant safety. Thank you to the Cobourg Yacht Club for opening your doors for event registration and post-event warm up.
About the 2025 Special Olympics Torch Run Coin
CPS and PHPS have created the 2025 Special Olympics Torch Run coin.
The coins are available for purchase at the Cobourg Police Service (107 King Street East, Cobourg) and the Port Hope Police Service (55 Fox Road, Port Hope) for $20 each. All proceeds from the coins will go to support Special Olympics Ontario. This year’s design features the CPS and PHPS cruisers.
These coins are a limited edition and will be sold on a first come, first served basis while supply lasts.
