Carmela Chillery-Watson became the youngest MBE recipient after raising funds for muscular dystrophy

Carmela Chillery-Watson (Image Credit: Guinness World Records) Carmela Chillery-Watson made history at the age of 11 as the youngest person ever to receive a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). According to Guinness World Records, she was 11 years and 78 days old when the honour was announced in June 2025, recognising her years of fundraising and awareness work for Muscular Dystrophy UK following her diagnosis with a rare muscle-wasting condition at age four.A diagnosis at fourCarmela was diagnosed with LMNA congenital muscular dystrophy (L-CMD) when she was four. The rare condition affects muscles and can cause progressive weakness, making everyday activities increasingly challenging. Her diagnosis did not stop Carmela from finding ways to support other people living with muscle-wasting conditions. Instead, she began taking part in fundraising activities and awareness campaigns, gradually turning her own experiences into a way to help others.Her work became closely connected with Muscular Dystrophy UK, a charity that supports people affected by muscle-wasting conditions and funds research into these diseases.Turning challenges into actionCarmela's fundraising journey ...