The Heart and Stroke Foundation's Big Bike was in Swift Current yesterday to raise some funds and awareness.

Local fundraisers combined to bring in over $7,000 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation while getting a chance to ride the unique bike around the downtown core.

Arielle Deslauriers, a Saskatchewan community engagement coordinator for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, said the one day in Swift Current fundraising wise was amazing.

"It's honestly outstanding," she said. "The first group thought they'd raise about $1,800 today and they came through with over $4,700. The heart in Swift Current is absolutely huge. The next team coming through is already over $2,400."

Both teams started their biking journey off in Market Square with the first group made up of the employees from MNP and the second team consisted of employees from Stark & Marsh and Mercator Financial.

"It's really a great way to get out into the community," Deslauriers said. "Hopefully we can grow the event next year to have more than two teams [in Swift Current]. It's super fun, obviously a great team engaging activity and we're supporting a great cause, I mean lots of people are affected by heart disease and stroke."

The southern half of Saskatchewan has already raised over $100,000, with a provincial end goal of $312,000. The organization's Canada-wide goal is $8 million and according to Deslauriers, they are on track to reaching it.