There was a unique display of affection in downtown North Bay on Thursday.

Volunteers from the Near North Palliative Care Network were offering free hugs.

The network is celebrating 30 years in the community of providing services at no cost to clients or their families.

“We are celebrating two things,” said Tami Price-Fry, Near North Palliative Care Network.

“Its National Hospice Palliative Care week and we have been in North Bay for 30 years, offering palliative care, bereavement care and care giver support to our clients. We are a visiting community hospice. We go into the community. We don't have bricks and mortar, but we have over 100 volunteers.”

Price-Fry said the reception was awesome and people really liked receiving free hugs.

The network is funded by the Ministry of Health.