Who Cares Wins winner, 7, who raised £100,000 for research into her condition forced to crowd-fund for care
THE family of a poorly girl who raised £100,000 for research into her condition are having to crowd-fund for her care.
Carmela Chillery-Watson, seven, has a rare form of muscular dystrophy and is unlikely to reach adulthood.
Using a frame, she walked hundreds of miles dressed as Wonder Woman during lockdown to raise money and won the Young Hero gong at The Sun’s Who Cares Wins awards.
She captured the hearts of David Beckham, 46, and Prince William, 39, at the event.
Yet mum Lucy, of Devizes, Wilts, said the family are crowd- funding for physiotherapy on Carmela’s muscles and joints.
Lucy said the firm which has the contract for providing therapy in her area told her it “couldn’t justify the resources” because Carmela would not improve.
Lucy, married to courier Darren, 50, does her best to help Carmela — one of only seven British kids with LMNA congenital muscular dystrophy — with physio tips she’s seen online.
Lucy, 45, who quit teaching to help Carmela, said: “She’s entitled to professional regular care.
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We’re are proof the funding isn’t there. The system for disabled children like her doesn’t work.”
Lucy is backing The Sun and Disabled Children’s Partnership Give It Back campaign urging government to close the £573million annual funding gap for children’s health and social care.