A Canadian rock star, Tom Cochrane, is expected to join fellow artists in the mega January 1, 2009, concert to raise funds for enable Rwandans get fresh water through a World Vision run programme.

Cochrane will lead the countdown to start 2009’s Courage Brothers Annual Polar Bear DIP for World Vision joining 5,000 spectators at Oakville’s Coronation Park to cheer on approximately 500 dippers.

The proceeds generated from the concert will help fund a project that will provide a dependable source of clean water for the people of Kahi Sector, Nyagatare District of the Eastern Province.

According to a press statement issued by the Courage Brothers Annual Polar Bear DIP the campaign is expected to raise about US$60,000 (approx Frw 33m) that would be used for drilling new wells, building reservoirs, collecting rainwater that can be used to irrigate vegetable gardens, and institute training programmes to help the communities protect their vital water resources.

"We are excited and honoured to have Tom Cochrane as a special guest at Canada’s largest charitable dip this year,” says Todd Courage.

"Because of his commitment to fighting global poverty, just his presence is an endorsement of what this dip is all about - helping less fortunate brothers and sisters around the world have clean water.”

The statement also quotes Cochrane saying; "I am so proud to be cheering on so many people who are willing to jump into the icy Lake Ontario waters and subject their bodies to such extremes just so they can help provide fresh water to global communities in need.”

The overall essence of this event is ‘water for water’ - the dippers collect pledges, and after they take the plunge into the icy-cold waters at Coronation Park, funds are donated to a water project through World Vision on behalf of The Courage Brothers Annual Polar Bear Dip, adds the statement.

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