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One Final Plunge: Julie Frates taking on ‘Plunge 4 Pete’ for first time

Julie Frates, the widow of Pete Frates, is taking the plunge for the very first time.

RELATED: Beverly native, ALS Ice Bucket Challenge hero Pete Frates has died

“I have decided to challenge my mother-in-law, Nancy Frates-mother of all mother bears, fundraiser of all fundraisers, force of all forces,” she wrote in a Facebook fundraiser titled One Final Plunge for my One and Only.

Frates announced that she will be plunging to help pay off the debt caring for Pete left the family in.

“The debt left behind from years of around the clock nursing care is overwhelming, but so is your support... I too will be plunging for the first time ever, to make a dent in this debt.”

She usually rode in the car with Pete and walked beside him as they traveled to Good Harbor Beach for the annual event, but this year she’s participating.

On December 28, what would have been Pete’s 35th birthday, Julie will wear the bikini she wore when they met in 2011.

RELATED: Dozens brave the cold in polar plunge in support of Pete Frates

She ended her Facebook post by saying “Please PLEDGE. Please SHARE. Please COME to Good Harbor in a bikini - because Pete will be watching, and he loves a good bikini.”

The fundraiser has set a goal to raise $100,000 and the 2019 ‘Plunge 4 Pete’ event will take place on December 28 at Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester.

MORE: Pete Frates, who helped raise millions for ALS research, laid to rest