A LITTLE girl from Devizes who suffers from muscular dystrophy has featured in a national campaign to promote Children's Hospice Week.

Carmela, four, is part of a campaign which reveals the top five moments that matter most for seriously ill children across the UK.

Carmela, who is supported by Julia's House children's hospice in Devizes, shared her favourite times. She loves horse riding and this was chosen as the example of a special day out.

Her condition affects her mobility but riding helps her keep her core muscles as strong as possible, plus she absolutely adores ponies.

Thanks to the support of her Julia’s House carers she gets to ride every week. Mum Lucy said: “The first time the carers took Carmela riding I walked round with them, listening to her laughing and squealing with joy and I just cried and cried, tears of happiness. You can’t put a price on that.”

Carmela, who lives with her mum Lucy and dad Darren near Devizes, has weak muscles so she struggles to walk and support her head. She wanted to ride but she needs a lot of physical support so her Julia’s House carers stepped in and arranged to take her to weekly riding lessons.

Lucy said: "I cried every day for three months when I found out that Carmela had muscular dystrophy. My life simply ended at that point - I kept thinking why, why us?

"Carmela can still walk, although she gets tired easily. She wears a head guard to protect her from knocks and falls as she is very wobbly. Horse riding has made a big difference to her mobility - and that’s down to Julia’s House.

"Carmela has two carers - amazing girls - who take her riding every week. Her core strength is so much better and this has really helped keep her on her feet.

"The carers are wonderful - it is so much more than just a job for them. It takes a very special person to work for Julia’s House and that comes over in everything they do.

"I could not leave Carmela with anyone else - I could not burden someone else with the worry. When I mention Julia’s House her little face lights up.

"As well as the riding she loves going to the hospice. Although Carmela attends mainstream nursery she does not always like to play with the other children because she cannot keep up with them. At the hospice she is like everyone else, no-one notices the difference."

The story of Baby Isabel, one, from Dorset, who is also helped by Julia's House was chosen for the cuddles section of the moments. She is brain damaged after being born prematurely at 25 weeks.

People in Devizes also supported Children's Hospice Week by wearing their pyjamas to work and paying £1 for the privilege.

Families are being invited to post their favourite moments on Facebook using the hashtags #LifesShort and #ChildrensHospiceWeek.