SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Yellowknifers braved the chilly waters of Long Lake this past weekend to raise more than $12,000 for the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Bear Plunge, with funds going toward the NWT chapter of the Special Olympics.

"It's not nearly as cold as it looks," said Alex Mackay who was plunging for the second year in a row with his group of co-workers from De Beers.

"But it is a bit of a shock considering we come from Africa," said Mackay, who was employed with the diamond mining company in the southern African country of Namibia before coming to the North.

For Suzye Landry, who was jumping with her team, Mixed Nuts, her strategy was simple. "Just run in and don't think about it," she said.

"It's just hard on your heart."

She said she had participated in a similar event in Quebec, but added it wasn't fair to call it a Polar Bear Plunge because the province's waters are not nearly as cold as the ones in Yellowknife.

There was also another event for those unwilling to bare the frigid lake water - Too Chicken to Plunge was held for supporters 14-year-olds and up who didn't want get wet but wanted to raise money.

David Desoccuy, a 64-year-old first time plunger, was proud to be participating as a senior and for a good cause.

"It's for the kids and the Special Olympics," said Desoccuy.

Lee-Anne Tomkins managed to raise more than $2,000, the most money raised by any of the participants. Tomkins even took the plunge twice - something she didn't seem to mind.

Dave Elliot, an inspector with the RCMP, along with inspector Michael Payne and the new superintendent, Wade Blake, happily took the plunge.

"It was over really quick," said Elliot, who jumped in uniform.

This year 56 people came out to take part, slightly up from last year's plunge.

"This year there's more exposure and a lot of word of mouth," said Paul Henry, treasurer for the Special Olympics NWT.

"We come from a generous community."