A fun team-building activity that raises much needed funds for the Heart and Stroke Foundation is back this week in North Bay.

The Heart and Stroke Big Bike, a red 30-seater tandem bike, is riding through downtown North Bay tomorrow (Tuesday) through Friday.

Area coordinator Julia Tignanelli says funds raised go towards several initiatives, including vital research.

“A lot of what we’re doing right now is working on regenerative medicine, so working at the genetic level, the cellular level, so that a heart can repair itself once damage has been done,” she says.

Funds also go towards the placement of A-E-Ds, the development of public health tools and rehabilitation programs.

“Our local hospital here runs the Living with Stroke program which includes physical and speech rehab for stroke survivors, support groups for stroke survivors and their caregivers and that program is a Heart and Stroke funded program,” Tignanelli says.

Last year, nearly 50 teams took part raising $80,000 locally.

45 teams are involved this year.

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