Don't cha wish you could put a smile on a child's face? Dig deep for an ex-Pussycat's charity

Former Pussycat Dolls dancer and singer Carmit Bachar held a press conference yesterday at the Hullet House's Sky Lounge, mostly to plug Operation Smile. The charity repairs cleft lips and palates for impoverished children, and Bachar is headlining its fund-raising bash tonight at an undisclosed location.

Co-organiser Mandy D'Abo (pictured with the redheaded Bachar) promised some serious partying. However, the message yesterday morning was the admirable work of the group.

'I've been involved for quite a while and became an ambassador when the Pussycat Dolls reached a certain status,' said Bachar, who suffered from the condition as a child. 'I went through numerous operations. Honestly, I would say I had close to an operation every other year until I was 16. After one surgery I had to basically learn how to speak again. But I wouldn't be who I am if I didn't have a cleft lip and palate. It builds character and strength. You grow up with inner beauty in spite of incessantly being picked on by kids.

'But the doctors and nurses are the heroes. They've come so far [medically]. I met this Brazilian doctor who developed a one-step surgery. I'm like, where were you when I was a kid?'

Career-wise, Bachar doesn't rule out a Dolls reunion, but she has moved on to stage shows, rockumentary films and her solo recordings. 'I was the oldest member of the Pussycat Dolls. I was with them eight years before the first record. I came to a point where I felt I wanted to do other things.'

Tickets for tonight's Operation Smile Afterglow party are HK$2,000.

For more details contact [email protected].