public function dateCompare($date1, $date2)
    {

    $interimDate = date('d/m/Y');
    $StartDate = DateTime::createFromFormat('d/m/Y', $date1);
    $EndDate = DateTime::createFromFormat('d/m/Y', $date2);



    if ($interimDate > $StartDate && $interimDate < $EndDate)
    {
      echo 'Falls during given period';
    }
    else {
        echo 'Does not fall during given period';
    }

dateCompare('01/08/14', '30/12/14');