It’s almost time for the annual Special Olympics Polar Plunge where you get to see your favourite celebrities plunge into an icy swimming pool in support of the athletes of Special Olympics.  Special Olympics South Africa will be hosting their 3rd edition of the Polar Plunge on the 31st August with a target of 100 committed celebrities taking the plunge this year.

I am excited to be participating in this year’s plunge (and am slightly nervous, to be honest!) Following the success of the previous Plunges and the recent win at the Special Olympics Summer World Games, Special Olympics South Africa is going even bigger this year by challenging celebrities, media, corporate leaders, government officials and the organization’s own ambassadors to brave the freezing waters and plunge for a purpose.

This fun-filled annual event was started to raise awareness about Special Olympics South Africa and the work that they do in using sport to empower over 55 000 athletes living with an intellectual disability in South Africa.

The event also acts as a fundraiser to help support Special Olympics activities nationally.

Companies have the opportunity to participate through the “Toss your Boss” initiative where employees can fundraise and nominate their boss to take the plunge on behalf of the company. A number of companies have already committed including Ford SA, Visionview Sports Radio, Digilogix and Labournet.

Some of the plungers will also be fundraising to support their own dives by asking their supporters to sponsor them. The public can go online and sponsor their favourite celebrity HERE…

This year’s list of celebrities, Special Olympics South Africa ( SOSA) ambassadors and other well-known individuals taking the plunge include:

• Kim Jayde (MTV Presenter and SOSA Ambassador)

• Nicole Capper (Survivor contestant)

• Mark Fish (Bafana Bafana Coach and SOSA Ambassador)

• Kwesta (Renowned South Africa rapper)

• Khuli Chana (Renowned South Africa rapper)

• Kay Sibiya (Acclaimed SA actor and SOSA Ambassador) … and many more…

In addition, a long list of business leaders, politicians and individuals have also committed to taking the plunge in support of the athletes of Special Olympics South Africa.