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Nelson’s police chief, emergency workers take a cold dip for a good cause

Cold in the Koots raises $11,000 for BC Special Olympics
Bill Metcalfe
Bill Metcalfe
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Police chief Paul Burkart (left) celebrated his retirement on the weekend with a dip in Kootenay Lake. Nelson fire chief Len McCharles and Deb Morris of BC Ambulance Services, seen here on the dock, also took the plunge. The event was a fundraiser for the BC Special Olympics. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Eight-year-old Peyton Birk pushed Nelson Police Chief Paul Burkart into Kootenay Lake on March 6 as part of Cold in the Koots, a fundraiser for the BC Special Olympics.

“I got into this job 26 years ago for exactly this reason,” the recently retired Burkart said while drying off, “to help people out there every chance I get, so this is a great way to finish it.”

Also taking the plunge as part of the Cold in the Koots event were fire chief Len McCharles, Deb Morris of B.C. Ambulance Services, and RDCK fire chief Norah Hannon.

The event raised $10,966, far beyond its $3,000 goal.


bill.metcalfe@nelsonstar.com
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Retiring police chief Paul Burkart after his Saturday morning swim. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Bill Metcalfe

About the Author: Bill Metcalfe

I have lived in Nelson since 1994 and worked as a reporter at the Nelson Star since 2015.
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