A Rotorua woman has set out to make 1000 paper creations to help raise money for Hospice Rotorua.

Dana Bolton is making 1000 paper cranes which will be displayed at the Harcourts Dancing with the Stars event next month. She has completed 400 paper cranes so far, and is looking to display them by hanging them on string.

People can donate a gold coin and have the name of a loved one written on one of the cranes.

"They can have a loved one remembered and can fundraise at the same time."

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So far, Dana only has nine names, so is keen for people to get in touch.

She says once she has all the names she will be able to start threading the cranes onto string. Dana says the venture is a fundraiser for Hospice, but she also wants to dedicate it to Michael Pilaar, who died of skin cancer at the end of June.

Michael had been a Harcourt Dancing with the Stars dancer last year, but was not able to take part due to cancer.

Dana says she had not realised how long the paper cranes took to make.

"Once I started making them I realised the enormity of what I had done."

She has had help from Ngongotaha School and Brownies so far.

Those who would like to help make the paper cranes, or to donate and have a name put on one, can contact Dana by visiting the 1000 Paper Cranes For Hospice Facebook page.

Donations and names can also be given atWestbrook School. Hospice Rotorua funding and development manager Jan Morgan said Dana's fundraiser was a "touching way to raise money".

"They say the art of origami is therapeutic. Some Hospices use it as a patient activity.

"Dana's idea is such a beautiful and touchingway to raise money for Hospice and honour the life of an incredible young man that touched so many people in our community."

Jan says the fundraiser is also a great way to engage school children who can then "learn a little about Hospice in a positive way".

■ The Harcourts Dancingwith the Stars show is being held on August 5 at the Energy Events Centre.