Fundraisers spin on Calgary rooftop for the Hustle for Hunt spin-a-thon

The Hustle for Hunt spin-a-thon was held on the roof of the King Eddy to raise funds for mental health research.

Dozens of Calgarians were shouting – and cycling – from the rooftops – for a good cause Saturday.

The Hustle for Hunt Spin-a-thon was held on the roof of the King Eddy.

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Participants were spinning up a storm and raising money for the Mental Health Initiative for Stress and Trauma at the University of Calgary.

Local dentist, Dr. Rob Hunt, started this event three years ago after he had a near-fatal He partnered with the U of C and YYC Cycle to launch the fundraiser.

“Physical fitness is the first recommendation for mental health,” says Andrew Obrecht, YYC Cycle Spin Studio CEO.

“We like to promote that in our studios, that we are a space that improves not only physical fitness, but mental fitness and mental health as well.”

The mental health initiative at the U of C involves exploring the impact that emotional stress and physical trauma have on the brain.

“Awareness is huge, because there’s so much research going on at the university that sometimes doesn’t get out into the general public,” says Andrea Morris, VP Development & Alumni, U of C.

“And events like this really invite people into our community and give them a chance to learn about what’s going on at the university,” she says.

Donations can be made on the University of Calgary website.

And your donation could be tripled. Until Wednesday, the U of C and Dr. Hunt will each match donations – up to $2,500 per gift.