If funds are a little low and we happen to be faced with an attractive prospect for a date, we generally opt for a cheap and cheerful coffee and chat. This isn't good enough for Tom Packer from Norwich, who has launched a crowdfunding initiative in the hopes of raising £1,300 to pay for 13 dates. He chose the number after coming across a theory suggesting that it takes 13 dates to find love and hopes that if he raised the requisite amount, he'll find 'The One'. Tom describes himself as a "hopeless sarcastic romantic" and has offered a series of rewards, ranging from a personalised thank you email to a day trip to Paris, for those who donate. "I like reading as much as going out with friends, I find thunderstorms relaxing to listen to and can easily lose myself in a good film. I like sitting in busy cafes writing poetry and people watching. The problem is I don’t have a lady/partner in crime/personal femme fatale to share all this with me, teach me new things and put me in my place every now and again," he said. "I’ve had my fair share of dates and right swipes, and even hit the streets of London with a mistletoe attached to my head in an attempt to find a special someone. There have been some great people but I haven’t yet found my one true love, so my quest continues…" The Indiegogo account was launched on Monday but it appears that Tom may have had second thoughts or found a very promising lady, as it has since been suspended after raising £227 in 24 hours.