Girls from Wiltshire and Bath given national award for charity work

Carmela and Harmonie-Rose got an open-top bus tour of London after receiving their awards

Two nine-year-old girls have received a national award in recognition of the positive impact they have had on their communities.

Carmela, from Wiltshire, and Harmonie-Rose, from Bath, were honoured with The British Citizen Youth Award (BCYA) at The Palace of Westminster on Thursday.

Harmonie-Rose said: "I'm really proud of myself. The award is really really heavy but I'm so happy."

In total, they have both raised more than £500,000 for different charities.

Mike Faulkner, the director of the BCYA, said: "The youth of today are truly the leaders of tomorrow."

Carmela was diagnosed with LMNA congenital muscular dystrophy at the age of three

At the age of three, Carmela was diagnosed with LMNA congenital muscular dystrophy.

In a bid to help scientists research a cure and better treatments for the condition, Carmela began fundraising when she was four-years-old.

Over the past five years, she has taken part in more than 20 events to raise money for the charity, Muscular Dystrophy UK.

But when the pandemic began, she had to shield due to her condition, meaning she missed essential hospital and physio appointments.

Instead, she took herself online and posted videos explaining her physio exercises, in an attempt to help others living with physical disabilities.

Carmela with her parents, Lucy and Darren

She said: "If I keep going, it will eventually help my condition and not bring me down as much.

"After I do exercises other people will message and say how amazing it is and how it helps them so much."

She added that receiving the BCYA award was "really special".

Harmonie-Rose contracted meningococcal septicaemia as a baby

Harmonie-Rose lost all of her limbs after contracting meningococcal septicaemia as a baby. She was given a 10% chance of survival.

In 2020, she become an ambassador for charity Meningitis Now.

Freya Hall, Harmonie's mum, added: "Nothing holds her back, she just goes for it head on.

"Harmonie's got so much confidence now and we're so proud of our little girl."