Rent A Date For Charity
Raising Awareness & Funding for Brain Cancer Charities - Putting the "FUN" back into FUNDraising!
It may seem that today, everywhere you turn, you are made aware of a new charity, health awareness event or sponsored activity. However, every one of these charities, no matter how big or small, is so important in raising awareness of the requirement to raise vital funds for research, specialist equipment and, most importantly, to raise the awareness of the people who have the illness, condition or disease.
Taking all this into consideration, we at Rent A Date For Charity, make it our mission to help all of our supporters, on a personal level, giving them the opportunity to stand out from the crowd, as well as helping us to achieve our goals.
- Did you know that brain cancer is now the biggest cause of cancer death in young men and women in the UK? According to research they kill more men under 45 and women under 35 than any other cancer
- Results show that brain tumours have overtaken leukaemia as being the biggest cancer killer in children in the UK! The number of children dying from a brain tumour is up 33% from 2001 to 2007.
- While overall mortality rates from cancer are falling, despite an actual rise in cases, survival rates for brain tumour patients are decreasing.
- More tumours are being diagnosed but the survival rate is remaining the same," according to Brain Tumour Research.
- Brain tumour research currently receives less than 1% of all cancer research spent in the UK. That works out annually at £3m, out of a total £426m.
Facts recently published on SKY News
Brain tumours cannot be prevented because their cause is still unknown. Medical experts feel that research is being "forgotten" and desperately underfunded.
So why are we so passionate about brain cancer rather than any other cause? Our co-founder and Director of Rent A Date For Charity, Lisa Connell, has an inoperable brain tumour. So we are only too aware of the impact of being diagnosed with this terrible disease and what it means to the individual and those around them.
Our aim and objective is to put the "FUN" back in to FUNdraising and we are currently in process of re-developing the unique, already successful, auction dating site www.RentADateForCharity.com.
In 2007, shortly after her diagnosis, Lisa took it upon herself to raise £1m for brain cancer charities worldwide before she dies. However, 27 year old Lisa wanted to do it in a fun and unique way, in which she too would find enjoyment. Having recently reentered the dating scene, Lisa was often asked out on dates via various networking sites. As a result, she came up with the entrepreneurial idea of Rent A Date For Charity. Lisa thought "Why not! Put your money where your mouth is!" And so that was how RADFC was born!
Since its launch, Rent A Date For Charity has given everyday people and celebrities the opportunity to auction themselves to the highest bidder, with proceeds going to brain tumour research.
Celebrities such as Bucks Fizz star and presenter Cheryl Baker, Model Sophie Anderton, Actor Jimmi Harkishin - AKA ‘Dev' in Coronation Street, Big Brother 5 contestant and model Orlaith McAllister, and I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here's Nicola Mclean, plus many more, have all played a huge part in raising awareness of the cause by providing just a few hours of their time.
Lisa is now working hard to take Rent A Date For Charity to the next level, with a new and improved website, offering many more features, such as events, where everyone supporting the cause can advertise their venues and fundraisers for FREE. There is also a NEW "Match Me Up" service which gives people the opportunity to find romance. As well as an area where charities can promote their news, fundraisers and activities through online profile submissions.
Did you know that over 100 million people now visit dating sites globally each month? And that over 21% of this growth is unique to online dating in Europe alone! And that 20% of the population are expected to be using online dating within the next 5-6 years. 1 in 5 people use online dating to find their partner and online dating net worth is now over £100million in the UK alone.
With plans in progress to re-launch the new website and for Lisa to support and lead the way in highlighting the importance of funds and awareness during Brain Tumour Awareness Month - March 2010, we are more excited now than ever! With the latest celebrity supporters in full swing, this is the most exciting time ever here at Rent A Date For Charity.
