Victoria student Carmela, 11, has been recognised for her charitable fundraising in the king’s birthday honours, becoming the youngest MBE.
Carmela has LMNA congenital muscular dystrophy – a rare progressive muscle-wasting condition, which affects her movement, heart and lungs.
Despite the challenges of her condition, she has completed around 25 fundraising and awareness campaigns, raising more than £400,000 for Muscular Dystrophy UK as well as supporting Julia’s House Hospice.
Carmela said she was ‘shocked and flabbergasted’ when she received the news she was to be made an MBE.
‘I never thought anything like this would happen,’ she said.
‘I just want to make a difference to the disability community, to be able to show them – you’re strong, you can do whatever you want.’
Carmela’s mother, Lucy, said she was immensely proud of her daughter and her resilience and determination.
Carmela’s next challenge is her ‘poo plod’ on Monday, June 23, when she will walk and wheel five miles dressed as a toilet, with her mum dressed as a poo, to raise funds for two specialist toilets for the school.
Having these facilities at school will support students’ independence and dignity.
A Just Giving page has been set up for donations.
Watch Carmela’s interview with Channel 5 News talking about her MBE and her latest fundraising challenge, which will benefit students at Victoria.
11-year-old Carmela Chillery-Watson from Dorset has become the youngest person ever to be made an MBE.
She was diagnosed with a progressive muscle-wasting condition which affects her movement, heart and lungs. But that hasn't stopped her raising more than £400,000 for the… pic.twitter.com/j4YBcnu2rw
— Channel 5 News (@5_News) June 16, 2025