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Freezing Plunge Unfreezes Funds for Hospice Hub


From Left to Right: Member Sally Gelpke, friend Karin Dodge, and members Brenda Cerson and Tammy Morrison
From Left to Right: Member Sally Gelpke, friend Karin Dodge, and members Brenda Cerson and Tammy Morrison. (Photo credit: Tracy Ireton)

Plunging into the freezing Tay River on New Year's Day! These brave four women will soon be experiencing the bracing thrill of winter swimming for first time. And it's for a great cause -- Perth's Hospice Hub.

A member of CFUW Perth & District's "Polar Bear Plunger", Sally Gelpke is taking the plunge because she believes in the importance of the work being done by the Hospice Hub.


"Having just been through the dying process with my mother in Victoria, B.C., I believe it is essential to have a place where individuals facing terminal illnesses have compassionate care, ensuring they spend their final days with dignity and comfort," Sally explains.


"I experienced first-hand how essential services such as emotional support, pain management and bereavement counselling help alleviate unnecessary suffering for both the families and the dying."


CFUW teammates Tammy Morrison and Brenda Cerson, along with their friend Karin Dodge, will also be taking the daring dive into the Tay's frigid waters Wednesday, January 1, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.


This is the 31st year of the Perth Polar Bear Plunge, held at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 244, Perth on New Year’s Day. Each year, a different community group is chosen as the recipient, and for 2025 the Perth Hospice Hub was selected.


The CFUW Perth & District team is half way to achieving their ambitious goal of $2,000. There are multiple ways to support our team: join in (brrrrr!), come out and cheer them on, and donate on the Hospice Hub website. (don't forget to choose our team).


While an avid swimmer, this is Sally's first year jumping in a Polar Bear Plunge.

"I wanted to be a participant because I thought it would be a fun and challenging (brrrrr!) event that would draw attention to the importance of hospice care."



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