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A final fundraiser for the man who boosted the ice bucket challenge

About 1,000 people showed up for the final 'Plunge for Pete' at Good Harbor Beach in Massachusetts to honor ice bucket challenge inspiration Peter Frates.

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GLOUCESTER, Mass. — Hundreds of people have plunged into the chilly ocean at a Massachusetts beach to honor Peter Frates, the former college baseball player whose battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease helped spread the ALS ice bucket challenge.

About 1,000 people showed up for the final “Plunge for Pete” at Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester on Saturday, and more than half of those braved the frigid waters on what would have been his 35th birthday.

The event raises money to help pay Frates' medical bills.

Frates' wife, Julie, participated in the plunge for the first time wearing the bikini she had on when she first met her husband.

Credit: AP

People take the ice bucket challenge during the last "Plunge for Pete" event on what would have been Pete Frates' 35th birthday, at Good Harbor in Gloucester, Mass., Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019. Hundreds of people plunged into the chilly ocean at the Massachusetts beach on Saturday to honor Peter Frates, the former college baseball player whose battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease helped spread the ALS ice bucket challenge. (John Blanding/The Boston Globe via AP)

Credit: AP

Pete Frates' widow, Julie, center, runs straight into Good Harbor in Gloucester, Mass., during the last "Plunge for Pete" event on what would have been Pete Frates' 35th birthday Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019. Hundreds of people plunged into the chilly ocean at the Massachusetts beach on Saturday to honor Peter Frates, the former college baseball player whose battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease helped spread the ALS ice bucket challenge. (John Blanding/The Boston Globe via AP)

Credit: AP

FILE - In this Dec. 28, 2014, file photo, Julie and Pete Frates smile on the sideline at Gillette Stadium during a birthday ceremony for Pete at an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills in Foxborough, Mass. Pete Frates died on Dec. 9, 2019. Supporters are taking one last chilly fundraising plunge on Saturday, Dec. 28, to raise funds to help cover medical bills for the man who inspired the ALS ice bucket challenge. Julie Frates said she will be participating in plunge for the first time. Saturday would have been his 35th birthday. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)

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