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More than 160 NSW Police officers, emergency services and members of the community braved the chilly conditions over the weekend, plunging into cold water at the second Polar Plunge Wollongong, raising a record amount for Special Olympics athletes.
The event is run by The Law Enforcement Torch Run, a charity made of up of NSW Police Force and other law enforcement agencies and coordinates events to raise money for athletes of Special Olympics Australia.
On Saturday 4 July 2026, 165 people took the plunge into the Wollongong Continental Pool, raising just over $41,800. In 2025, the event raised just over $28,000.
Twenty-five brave teams took on the plunge, including three from the NSW Police Force. Among them was the Southern Region Seals team, which featured Southern Region Assistant Commissioner Joe Cassar APM, alongside teams from Wollongong Police District and Lake Illawarra Police District. The NSW State Emergency Service and Fire and Rescue NSW were also among the courageous participants who took on the icy challenge.
The Shellharbour Club team emerged as the leading fundraiser for the Wollongong Polar Plunge, collecting almost $5,500. Special Olympics Illawarra athlete Fraser King was the event’s top individual fundraiser, raising nearly $3,500 in support of the cause.
It was the first Polar Plunge event of 2026. A further 25 locations across Australia will host the challenge, including 12 across NSW, including Batemans Bay and Goulburn.
Southern Region Assistant Commissioner Joe Cassar APM paid tribute to the community for their support on the day.
“What I see in front of me today, is a testament to the people in the Illawarra, emergency services, our community and our athletes, all standing shoulder to shoulder when there is a need and for a worthy cause,” Assistant Commissioner Cassar said.
“This is an unbelievable event and the money being raised is going to our all important Special Olympics athletes. The fundraising efforts support transport, uniforms and the equipment they need.”
Law Enforcement Torch Run CEO Scott Whyte APM said he’s encouraged by the growing support for the Wollongong event.
“We had 165 registered to plunge today – that’s about 65 more than we had this time last year and the very generous people of the Illawarra managed to raise more than $40,000 to support Special Olympics Illawarra,” Mr Whyte said.
“The event is organised by the local Special Olympics Club and goes directly to the Special Olympics Club. It’s a special year, because the National Games are being held in Melbourne in October and a lot of money raised is going to support athletes who have been selected for the NSW team to travel to Melbourne to participate, so it’s a win win for Special Olympics in the region.”
Special Olympics athlete Kristin Mercer travelled from Gulgong for the Polar Plunge and said the fundraising efforts will ensure she can compete in Athletics at the National Games.
“I’ve been selected since March (for the National Championships) and it will be my 6th Nationals…. It costs a lot of money because we pay for airfares, accommodation, food and uniforms… Thank you for all your support for SO(Special Olympics) Illawarra.”
People are encouraged to jump online and register or donate at https://include.specialolympics.com.au/polar-plunge
