The Cochrane Hospice Society is gearing up for its annual Hike for Hospice scheduled for this weekend.

Margaret Stevens, treasurer with the Cochrane and Area Hospice Society said the funds raised go to the support services they offer including speaker series offered approximately four to six times per year. 

"We'll bring in speakers to talk to the public at large about end of life and end of life care. We also have a program called Compassionate Care and what we do is we are offering assistance to families or individuals going through end of life."

Stevens added they also help cover expenses that Alberta Health Services does not cover. 

The walk takes about an hour and encourages participants to share stories about their loved ones said Stevens. 

"We all know that end of life is a particularly stressful time for families and individuals and it's an opportunity for people that have gone through it to get together and take their mind off it and do something else."   

The society also provides comfort kits for families 

"There will be books in there for teenagers, preschool and different activities that they can do. Where they can get assistance, what's available in Cochrane, what isn't. All kinds of information for them." 

Donations can be sent to cochranehospicesociety@gmail.com

The Hike for Hospice will go on Sunday, May 5 at Mitford Pond Park starting at 10 a.m. Registration starts at 9:45 a.m.