Words by Smiley Team
After completing an impressive fundraising challenge for charity, Wonder Woman fan Carmela Chillery-Watson got to star in her very own superhero cartoon. Brought to her front door by Heart Radio, the film celebrated her achievement last year, when she undertook the equivalent of a marathon each day, by completing walking challenges to raise money in aid of those, like her, who live with life-limiting conditions.
Despite having the progressive muscle-wasting disease LMNA-CMD, Carmela has fundraised tirelessly for the charity, Muscular Dystrophy UK, since her diagnosis aged three.
Among her supporters is Wonder Woman 1984 star Gal Gadot who donated £3,442 to Carmela’s JustGiving page after calling her “My real wonder girl”.
Carmela and her family have raised more than £54,000 for Muscular Dystrophy UK over the last few years. She received Boris Johnson’s Points of Light award for her efforts as an outstanding volunteer, after which Heart Radio decided to dedicate a special film to her called Courageous Carmela.
Arriving in front of her home in Devises, Wiltshire, a giant billboard caused Carmela to gasp in astonishment as she looked out the window. Stepping outside, she discovered a table with a giant red button with the word “Boost” on it. Pressing the button, she launched a line of fireworks in front of the cinema screen and commenced the film.
Featuring Courageous Carmela, her dog Tinker and Amazing Amanda, the cartoon follows the trio as they rush through space to prevent evil Lord Jamie from blocking out all the light in the world.
Before the surprise, Carmela’s mum had recorded her reading the script for her cartoon, while Carmela had no idea what it was for. Amazing Amanda and Lord Jamie were voiced by Heart presenters Amanda Holden and Jamie Theakstone.
Carmela said: “To have my own superhero cartoon, it was amazing! Thank you, Jamie and Amanda, for the surprise.”
Dan McNally, head of regional development at Muscular Dystrophy UK, said: “Carmela’s bravery, determination, and dedication in fundraising for MDUK makes her a real-life superhero. Carmela takes on every new challenge with boundless enthusiasm for helping others with muscle-wasting conditions, and we were thrilled that Heart and Experian made such an effort to surprise Carmela with her very own film.”
Carmela’s mission doesn’t stop there. To support the charity that looks after her and others who live with muscular dystrophy, you can donate via her Just Giving page.
Contributions can also be made directly to Muscular Dystrophy UK via their website. A monthly contribution of £5 could pay for their care and information team to support a family for a week. £20 a month could help cover tuition fees for PhD students to pave the way for future breakthroughs in neuromuscular research.
