Surrey’s Polar Plunge raises $9,605 for Special Olympics BC

Surrey’s Polar Plunge raises $9,605 for Special Olympics BC

Published 11:00 am Tuesday, March 10, 2026

A brave group of about three dozen Special Olympians and first responders plunged into the waters of the Pacific Ocean off Blackie Spit Park at Crescent Beach on Saturday (March 7) for Special Olympics BC.

The Surrey Polar Plunge raised over $9,600 for Special Olympics BC.

Melissa Andrews, an athlete from South Surrey, raised $1,500 for the event. “My dad and I had a competition of who could raise the most, and I raised the most by $10,” she said.

These fundraisers are vital for Special Olympics BC, Andrews said. “All the money that we raise is for us to go to provincials or tournaments,” she said. “If we didn’t do fundraisers like this, we wouldn’t have any money to do any of our programs.”

Andrews competes in basketball, bowling, and bocce, and in August, she is going to nationals in Medicine Hat, Alta., for bocce.

Surrey Police has hosted the community event for the past several years, said Deputy Chief Const. Mike LeSage.

Prior to that, the Surrey RCMP organized the event.

LeSage said the event “brings us together with the community.”

“We’re a community policing organization, and being in the community is number one to us. So to come out and support them, and to be hand in hand with them, is just the greatest thing.”

In addition to Saturday’s event, members of the Surrey Police Community 1st Unit coach the athletes throughout the year.

Surrey Police Chief Norm Lipinski presented the Special Olympians with a gift before they all plunged into the frigid waters of the Pacific.

Alongside Special Olympians, Surrey Police officers, members of the Surrey Fire Service and BC Sheriffs also took part in the event.

To learn more or donate, visit, plunge4specialolympics.crowdchange.ca/127773/team/72618.

About the Author: Anna Burns

I cover breaking news, health care, court, Vancouver Rise FC, Vancouver Goldeneyes and social issues-related topics for the Surrey Now-Leader. anna.burns@surreynowleader.com Follow Anna on Twitter.