Good Deeds

Kate Middleton Spearheads Roller Disco Benefit

09/05/2008 at 01:30 PM EDT

Kate Middleton is on a mission – to have her society pals don roller skates and day-glo leggings in an effort to raise nearly $200,000 for a hospital ward that helps needy children.

Hooking up with fellow committee member Holly Branson, daughter of Virgin Airlines tycoon Sir Richard, Middleton (Prince William's girlfriend) is helping run the Sept. 17 event to aid Tom's Ward – named for the brother of a close friend – at the Children's Hospital in Oxford and the Place2Be, which provides counseling to 43,000 children and their families in 130 schools.

Tom's Ward was set up in memory of Thomas Waley-Cohen, who died in 2004 after a battle with cancer. It specializes in general surgery for sick or injured children.

While it has been reported that Princes William and Harry have both been invited to the event, their office would not comment.
– Simon Perry