AN EIGHT-year-old girl who has gone "above and beyond in the face of adversity" to make a positive impact has been given an award by the Prime Minister.
Carmela Chillery-Watson, from Market Lavington, lives with the a muscle wasting disease, and was given a Points of Light award for her fundraising efforts in January 2021.
And yesterday Carmela got to attend a reception at 10 Downing Street on Tuesday along with the other winners.
She has managed to raise more than £150,000 over the years for Muscular Dystrophy UK- a charity which means a lot to her.
Carmela’s progressive muscle-wasting disease is called LMNA Congenital Muscular Dystrophy, meaning her muscles get weaker over time, and children who have the condition often don’t live to be 20 years old.
Since her diagnosis when she was three, Carmela and her family have worked to help fund research into potential treatments - and ultimately a cure - for others with muscle-wasting conditions.
The Points of Light award recognises ‘outstanding individual volunteers who inspire others’, which it seems like Carmela does on the regular.
Just last week, Carmela completed her latest charity event, Wonder Wheels, raising £3,500 for Muscular Dystrophy UK and was joined by Paralympian star, Rachel Morris.
A team of 15 fundraisers, led by Carmela’s mum, Lucy, cycled 66 miles through Wiltshire villages on Monday August 1.
They were joined by Carmela for the last mile, riding a specially-adapted recliner bike and wearing a Wonder Woman helmet.
Carmela led the cyclists across the finish line in West Lavington – with a little help from one of her heroes, Paralympian cycling gold-medallist, Rachel Morris.
Carmela said: “I felt proud and so very happy to lead the team across the line, but my bike broke just before the last half a mile, so Paralympian Rachel pushed me down the hill to the finish line. It was an absolute amazing feeling!”
She said before meeting the prime minister: “This is awesome, I can't believe it, it's so amazing. I'm looking forward to meeting Boris to say don't resign as I like you.
Carmela’s mum, Lucy Watson, added: "I'm so proud of Carmela. It will be great for her to meet other inspirational Points of Light award winners at the Downing Street reception."
To support Carmela, you can join her solidarity Wonder Wheels cycle challenge this August and to help her reach her target of £5,000.
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