THUNDER BAY - Members of community and even some high-ranking officers with the Thunder Bay Police Service took a chilly plunge and it was all in support of athletes who inspire everyone to be as brave and strong as they can be.
On Thursday, Special Olympics Thunder Bay hosted a fundraiser and barbeque in support of the upcoming Special Olympics Winter Games that will be held in Thunder Bay in February 2020.
“It’s obviously a really good way to bring awareness to our athletes with Special Olympics,” said Inspt. Derek West with the Thunder Bay Police Service. “What a better way to do that than by bringing the police and athletes together and members of the public to work together and have fun.”
The money raised will go toward helping fund the upcoming Winter Games and supporting local athletes.
Part of the fundraiser included a dunk tank, where several members of the Thunder Bay Police Service, including new deputy chief, Ryan Hughes, took the plunge.
“It’s a good event and hopefully when they see officers in a dunk tank and draw some more people out,” Hughes said. “The higher the rank the more people want to come out and dunk that person. I had a lot of balls thrown at me today while I was in the dunk tank.”
“It was cold no matter what happened,” Hughes added. “It was cold every time I went in.”
The Thunder Bay Police Service is a strong supporter of the Special Olympics, including hosting the annual torch run along with other law enforcement agencies.
“We are really passionate about the Special Olympics, the athlete’s inclusion, making sure everyone has the ability to feel they are included in everything in the community,” West said. “We are passionate about supporting athletes in being the best people that they can be.”
“It’s a good event to support,” Hughes added. “We’ve been behind it for many years. The officers enjoy participating with the Olympians and the volunteers.”
