The Wiltshire-born lass completes the Julia’s House 100-mile challenge today

Carmela Chillery-Watson walks and hikes along the Jurassic Coast

A 10-year-old girl from Wiltshire, who has an incurable muscle-wasting condition, is today completing a 100-mile ‘Superhero’ challenge for Julia’s House Children’s Hospice.

Carmela Chillery-Watson grew up in Devizes before moving to Dorset and has a rare and incurable form of muscular dystrophy, but that hasn’t stopped her walking and running along the Jurassic Coast.

Her condition is progressive and life-threatening and there is currently no cure. Over time, it caused Carmela’s muscles to disappear. He has lost all the muscles in his shoulders, so it is difficult for him to lift his arms or hold his knife and fork, and his hips have become even weaker, which affects his stability.

Carmela received care from Julia’s House.

She accepted the challenge dressed as her favorite superhero – Spiderwoman, with her mother Lucy and dog Tinker, who has a special doggie bag on the back of Carmela’s wheelchair.

The challenge started on Sunday, June 16, and Carmela walked about 7.1 miles each day.

She aims to raise £10,000 for the charity.

Carmela received a congratulatory video message from the charity’s patron, actor Martin Clunes.

He was invited to join her in the challenge by the charity’s chief executive Martin Edwards, but Mr Clunes was in Greenland, meaning he was unable to join Carmela.

Instead, he shared a video message in front of an iceberg.

He said: “I really wanted to say, congratulations for doing this. Julia’s House is the best possible cause you could do this for. And good luck – go girl!”

“Carmela faces so many challenges in her life, but she has never let them hold her back,” said mum Lucy. “She has raised thousands of pounds for charity, met several high-profile celebrities including the Prince of Wales and received a host of awards for her bravery and fundraising efforts.

“Casa Julia is like our second family,” continues Lucy. “I don’t get help from anywhere but Iulia’s House and I would feel very lost without them. Carmela’s dad works during the week so it’s just me and Carmela 24/7 and it can be full. With everything I’m going through and seeing with Carmela and her condition, it’s an emotional rollercoaster. Like any mother, I need a break to myself, even if it’s just for two or three hours.

“We don’t think or talk too much about what the future might hold for Carmela,” adds Lucy. “She says I’m her best friend and she wants to have kids and live away from me when she’s older. And if Carmela wants to talk about having kids and getting married, then that’s what we’ll do. You hear about children all over the world dying suddenly, so I think we’re very lucky. I think we have to take each day as it comes and if that moment comes, it will.”

Julia House Public Fundraising Manager Laura Maidment will be joining Carmela part of the way on her walk. Laura said: “You don’t get a bigger superhero than Carmela. She is amazing and I can’t wait to join her on Jurassic Journey. Everyone at Julia’s House is 100% behind her and very grateful for her and Lucy’s amazing support. Go Carmela!”

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