WINDSOR, Ontario (23 July 2012) - The team from Tepperman's was the top fundraiser at this year's Big Bike for Heart & Stroke event here raising over $6,800. When the $1,350 from the retailer's Chatham-Kent location is added in, the combined effort totalled over $8,100.

This was the second consecutive year Tepperman's Windsor partipated in the annual event benefiting the local Heart & Stroke Foundation. Last year, they came second among its fundraisers.

"Our staff and their families made this happen," company secretary/treasurer Noah Tepperman said in a statement. "They were the ones who chose to ride the Big Bike, and they really put the ‘fun' in ‘fundraising'. Both Andrew (Tepperman's president) and I are very proud of the passion and commitment they've demonstrated."

The team from Tepperman's (pictured here) were the top fundraiser for this year's Windsor-area Bike Ride for Heart & Stroke bringing in a total of about $8,100. Holding the banner are company secretary/treasurer Noah Tepperman (left) and president Andrew Tepperman (right).

Diane DeMarco, event co-ordinator for the Heart & Stroke Foundation's Windsor-area office, expressed her appreciation.

"Every dollar raised by the Big Bike riders will go towards the elimination of heart disease and stroke, as well as towards reducing their impact through the advancement of research, the promotion of healthy living, and advocacy, " DeMarco said. "In fact, a significant portion of the funds actually remain in our community, funding two local researchers as well as the District Stroke Centre."

Many of the Big Bike riders made additional contributions to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, as did those friends, family and customers who turned out to cheer the team on or were unable to attend. Over the two days of the event, the Big Bike ride drew over 92 teams from Windsor and Essex County and was projected to raise over $155,000.