An effort to establish a Cochrane Health Foundation is starting to take shape.

Brian Winter, chair of the local EMS Citizens Action Group, says he's been focusing on the suggestions of Michelle Bates, executive director of the Airdrie Foundation, during an inaugural meeting in mid-October.

That includes receiving the support of local MLA Peter Guthrie and late last week he met with five officials from Alberta Health Services who were instrumental in helping establish the Airdrie Foundation.

Creating a strong board is the next step.

He says the long-term goal is to establish 24-hour urgent care in Cochrane, but some things can be done now. They include registering as a society, meeting with Urgent Care Centre officials to understand their needs, and creating a fundraising process.

Besides successfully pushing for a 24-hour urgent care, in eight years, the Airdrie foundation has raised more than $500,000 in support of the mental and physical health needs of their community.

Fifteen people have now stepped forward to help create the foundation, and they are meeting tonight.

Winter says he is there to help spearhead the effort but has no intention of serving as chair.