Dressed in a green sequioned top, yellow hot pants and pink leg warmers, Kate Middleton skated through last night as the organizer of an 80s style roller disco charity event. 
The fundraiser was set up in memory of Tom Waley-Cohen, a friend of Kate’s from Marlborough boarding school, who died of bone cancer in 2004, aged 20. His family established the Torch Appeal to raise £1million for the general surgical ward and have already passed the total by £200,000 but are continuing to collect funds to pay for other improvements to the unit.
Kate’s fundraiser aimed to raise 100,000 pounds for Tom’s Ward at the Oxford Children’s Hospital, and the organization the Place2Be — which provides counseling to youngsters.
Tom’s brother Sam, heaped praise on Kate for her help in organizing the event. “She’s been fantastic in using her contacts to get people along – she has persuaded loads of people to commit.”
The event was intended to “reflect the lighter side of life; very much like Thomas was himself”. He added, “We wanted to do something fresh and new; something that would be fun and a bit tongue in cheek.”
And fun and tongue in cheek it was. With such guests as Guy Pelly, Princess Beatrice, Kate’s sister Pippa, and Holly Branson – the daughter of Sir Richard Branson – the event was a night to remember. The guests danced on their skates and had a great time.
The event was held at a roller rink in South London.
Kate Middleton unfortunately was photographed falling flat on her back during the skating.
Organizing this event in memory of a friend may be one reason for Kate to do some good, but there may be other reasons, too. Kate has been criticized by the UK press and royal watchers for not doing much but living the life of a rich girl since graduating from university three years ago. Friends say Kate is “anxious” to be seen as someone who is not sitting round “waiting for [Prince] William to click his fingers.”
