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Wednesday, January 5, 2000 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Photos by Wilma Blokhuis The Bronte Beached W hales line up at Bronte Beach prior to their New Year's Day dip for Halton Women's Place. AT RIGHT, Dave Weir with supporter Eve Toms. Their swim was watched by between 200 and 300 spectators and supporters. H a lto n W om en' s Place benefits from B ronte Beached W hales dip By Wilma Blokhuis BEAVER FOCUS EDITOR Warm sunny weather greeted the nine swimmers of the Bronte Beached W hales on Saturday morning as they waded into Lake Ontario, splashed about, and returned to Bronte Beach. It was the group's fifth annu al New Year's Day swim for Halton Women's Place, a cause these polar bear dippers are very passionate about. Saturday's event raised $3,660 for the shelter for abused women and their children, bringing their total donation up to $8,260. Over the previous four years, the Bronte Beached Whales had raised $4,600. "I've been doing this for 18 years," says participant and organizer Jackson Turner, "and five years ago we decided to do it for a cause. This is my fifth year doing it for Halton Women's Place. It's a very good cause." T hat first year, they raised $200. "I used to go in at 8 o'clock in the morning by myself," con tinued Turner, a local artist. He was joined by Dave Weir, on condition that New Year's Day swim "would have to bene fit a good cause," states a twopage press release co-written by Turner and Weir. Halton Women's Place is a cause close to Weir's heart. His younger sister, Patricia, was murdered by an abusive common-law husband in July 1982. "With this great sense of loss, Dave decided that he would join Jackson in his New Year's Day dip and raise funds for Halton W omen's Place," said their release. "What started out as a tragedy ended up as a worth while cause. "Abuse is in the media every day, but all incidents are not made public because it is often kept a secret from family and friends," their letter continues. `T oo often women feel ashamed of the control that an abusive spouse or boyfriend has on them, that they are afraid to ask for help. "Unfortunately the govern ment has only so much funding with which they can assist women and children who are being abused, and who have to leave their home to feel safe. `T he seven of us who went in are all friends," said Turner. "All of us have done this for years. We met at Chaps Bronte and decided to turn our polar bear dip into a fundraiser for Halton W omen's Place." The name Bronte Beached W hales was suggested by^Andres Paara of Chaps Bronte and Dorval. Saturday's event drew between 200 and 300 spectators, more than in previous years. One spectator, Jack Roberts, upon overhearing a discussion about the group's polar bear dip at Chaps Bronte, decided to put his money where his mouth is. "I walked over and pledged $1,000. I told them if you do this, I will give you a cheque for $1,000. "W hen I heard the story behind this dip, and what hap pened to Dave's sister, I decided something has to be done about wife abuse, and help these women out. No woman deserves to be abused." The donation came as a sur prise to his wife Cheryl Hladysh, however, she didn't mind. "It's something I whole heartedly support," she said. This year, the dip received support from neighbouring pubs including the Coach & Four. A few m inutes later, two women, Sandi Wright of the Coach & Four and friend Diana Chalmers, both first time dip pers, splashed into the water. "M y toes are cold," said Wright. "W hen I first went under, I couldn't catch my breath." Six pubs sold $2 raffle tickets - `whales tails' - to raise money for Halton Women's Place and to win a Labatt's bar fridge. Tickets were sold at Chaps Bronte, Chaps Dorval, Chaps Fairview (in Burlington), Coach & Four, The Cop Shop (Bronte and Speers) and at Monaghan's on Trafalgar Road. Additional funds were raised at a silent auction held at Chaps Bronte, the Bronte Beached W hales first sponsor. Chaps general manager Marty Soberg continues to prom ote the group's swim and oversee fundraising, and this year was joined by sponsors Ian Ferguson of Labatt's, sports cartoonist Rob M cDougal, and Monaghan's. Photo by Wilma Blokhuis First time dippers Diana Chalmers, left, and Sandi Wright share a hearty laugh after arriving late and taking a swim to support the Bronte Beached W hales' fundraising efforts for Halton Women's Place. Therefore they must rely on groups like the Bronte Beached Whales and their supporters to help to make a difference in their lives. "We can't take away the pain they feel, but we can certainly help support them so that they have a safe place to go." Coming out of the water, Turner, known for sporting a sleeveless T-shirt - even on cold days, said "it was a little chilly." The temperature rose to above 8°C. "It wasn't as cold as last year, when we had to walk across ice before going into the water. F A C T O R Y A U MENS S A L E * ANNUAL WINTER SALE Jan u ary 5-31 jOHNSTON&MURPHY. B ritish E m pire -V ic to ria set s p E R R Y # B ro y h iir home furnishings Home Office Cabinet Maison Lenoir Double Pedestal set Jk 0 LAJLA M aison Lenoir · Entertainm ent W all &S eatin Rockport N A o T Maison L e n oir - Sleigh Bed set jFontana· F armK itchenS etting,C urio&D e skA rm otre ` S L IP P E R S E X C L U D E D A L L S A L E S F IN A L CHARLES AUSTIN ·SHOES* 184 Lakeshore R d. E., O a kville · 845-5582 S u tto r Street V ic to ria n B e d ro o m set Toscana - A la b a s te r Bed s e t C L O S IN G Everything Must Go! A ll merchandise reduced. N o e x c e p tio n s . 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