Dream date

12:58pm Wednesday 3rd October 2007

A UNIQUE dating website raising money for charity officially launched this week with celebrity backing and growing support.

Rentadateforcharity.com was the bright idea of Lisa Connell, from New Southgate.

Starting out as a MySpace web page with the help of some friends, it has now launched as a limited company with super model Sophie Anderton the first celebrity draw in a bid to raise £1million for Brain Tumour UK.

Ms Connell, 28, was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour earlier this year, but has not let this or the impact on her health deter her from making the venture work.

She said: "I can't believe this is happening; I can't believe that a small idea has generated into an official business, which has always been my dream."

After being told she was going to die, she said it was unbelievable that she was able to make Rent a Date For Charity work, while raising money for the cause that was close to her heart.

As well as grabbing the attention of the press in a variety of sources, a production company is following Ms Connell around for the next six months, with a TV programme in the pipeline about her journey since launching the initiative.

To register for dates or for more information visit www.rentadateforcharity.com