SEYMOUR, CT – Thule, Inc., a U.S. manufacturer of transportation accessories, raised $6,500 in memory of former Thule spokesperson and World’s Strongest Man (WSM) Super Series Champion, Jesse Marunde, during a fundraising event hosted by the company at the 2007 SEMA Show that was held at The Las Vegas Convention Center.

Marunde, 27, unexpectedly passed away in July from a heart attack during a workout routine at his gym. Thule first partnered with the athlete in November 2006 as part of its sponsorship with the WSM Super Series to help launch its Professional line of contractor-grade truck rack systems and accessories.

At SEMA, Thule hosted the “Marunde Challenge” in which dozens of show attendees joined WSM Super Series competitors, Magnus Samuelsson and Kevin Nee, to test their own strength by attempting to hold weights as long as they could. Thule donated $25 to the Jesse Marunde Memorial Fund for every 10 seconds the participants were able to hold the Iron-Cross bars.

Marunde is survived by his wife, Callie, their daughter, Jessica Joy “J.J.”, and his son, Dawson Blue.