NEWCASTLE -- Despite cold rainy weather, the Clarington Polar Bear Swim had a record turnout and raised an all-time high of close to $14,000 for the SickKids Foundation research into pediatric liver disease.
"It went better than ever," said Heather McFarland, swim organizer.
On Jan. 1, brave souls dashed from the Newcastle waterfront into the icy waters of Lake Ontario. The youngest polar bear swimmer was five, and the "most seasoned" swimmer was 61 years old. Swimmers came from Clarington and beyond, with a swimmer from west of London, Ontario having travelled the farthest. In total, there were 142 polar bear dippers who plunged into the frosty water.
"That's a big increase from 98 last year," said Ms. McFarland.
The McFarland family got involved in the Clarington Polar Bear Swim to raise money and awareness for organ donation after their daughter was born with liver disease and had a life-saving transplant.
All money raised goes to the SickKids Foundation for research into pediatric liver disease. In the 2011 dip, the most raised in pledges came from father-son team Marvin and Glenn Stapleton. To date, close to $53,000 has been raised through the Clarington Polar Bear Swim.
"It went better than ever," said Heather McFarland, swim organizer.
On Jan. 1, brave souls dashed from the Newcastle waterfront into the icy waters of Lake Ontario. The youngest polar bear swimmer was five, and the "most seasoned" swimmer was 61 years old. Swimmers came from Clarington and beyond, with a swimmer from west of London, Ontario having travelled the farthest. In total, there were 142 polar bear dippers who plunged into the frosty water.
"That's a big increase from 98 last year," said Ms. McFarland.
The McFarland family got involved in the Clarington Polar Bear Swim to raise money and awareness for organ donation after their daughter was born with liver disease and had a life-saving transplant.
All money raised goes to the SickKids Foundation for research into pediatric liver disease. In the 2011 dip, the most raised in pledges came from father-son team Marvin and Glenn Stapleton. To date, close to $53,000 has been raised through the Clarington Polar Bear Swim.
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