My dating agency recently turned two years old, which is crazy for many a reason. First, there are couples in the double figures, a baby and a second wedding taking place next year. And another couple just got engaged!

Still, people consistently ask me if I am matchmaking any more and the answer is yes, there has been a dating pool every month since August 2020. I couldn’t settle on a way to celebrate this business milestone so instead, have been planning an idea that is finally coming to life.

In a bid to raise money for two incredible charities, Chai Cancer Care and GIFT, I’ve set myself the challenge to go on 28 dates in 28 days throughout the month of February. And these, of course, will all be blind dates (for me anyway, not the guys), because that’s what I specialise in — sending other people out on blind dates.

I’ll be pausing matchmaking duties for one month only and putting my dating life into the trusted hands of three people. I chose them wisely, knowing they will each bring something unique to the team.

My cousin Carly knows me inside and out so she is fully in tune with who I am and what I would class as a fun date.

My friend Matt is nuts, so I am confident he’ll send me on dates with some risqué choices of men (AKA men I would never choose to date myself, but they could be a barrel of laughs). And finally, there’s my colleague Katy, the queen of organisation. I have no doubt she’ll run a tight schedule and be able to arrange the 28 dates and 28 men with her eyes closed.

The groundwork for February’s marathon of dates begins today, 2 December. While my team of friends head up recruiting the 28 men, I am busy scheduling each date from activities to timings.

So far, a trip to see Six, the musical about Henry VIII’s wives (appropriate? Maybe) and a packing session at the GIFT warehouse are locked in.
In an effort to preserve my energy throughout the month, we’ll be mixing up the timings.

Expect to see some pre-work coffees and lunchtime meets timetabled. I am also making a list of emergency guys: male friends, girlfriend’s boyfriends, fiancés and husbands who will serve as the last-minute pool of men in the event any of the blind dates cancel at the 11th hour.

It’s about time I take on my own dating advice and February will be the perfect opportunity to apply my tips and tricks.

The 28 blind-date epic is going to be a mammoth feat, but the aim is to raise as much money as I possibly can in the month of love. Please send me good vibes only as I endeavour to remain in positive spirits through what I can only imagine will be some good, bad and ugly dates!

To register interest in going on a date (age 25-35 only), email 28datesin28days@gmail.com To sponsor Aimee: justgiving.com/fundraising/aimeebelchak