London hosted its annual Polar Plunge at 100 Kellogg Lane. The event, which was on Mar. 6, had one clear purpose: to support Special Olympics Ontario. The current amount raised is over $720,000, nearing the $1 million goal. However, there are still more plunges located all across Ontario.
“It was freezing, I couldn’t get out of there quick enough,” was what Liam Jackson from Nothers, the award store, said after he jumped in.
The event had many different community members participate in the plunge including local emergency service members.
“Athletes that participate in Special Olympics have their own obstacles to overcome,” said Royal Canadian Mounted Police Inspector Tim Diebel.
“It’s important for me, and it shows that you know what, there are challenges, and challenges can be overcome and I praise all the athletes that participate.”
The funds go directly toward the Special Olympics programming.
The crowd at the 2026 Polar Plunge (Noah Paradis XFM News)
“It says for uniforms, field rentals, travel costs, anything involved in running Special Olympics throughout Ontario,” said manager of the Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run & emcee of the Polar Plunge Derek Spence.
The event had tent-like change rooms with plungers being able to go inside the warming centre the organizers set up. There were also warming torches located just outside of the plunge tank that kept spectators warm throughout the event.
Despite the cold, rainy weather, the plunge had over 250 participants—it was a day full of festivities, including a live band.
