A paraplegic man has a new ATV after his stolen quad was officially replaced at a ceremony in Chatham over the weekend.
Shawn Daley's modified ATV, which helped him get to work, was stolen April 1. Vince Masse, president and founder of the Chatham-Kent ATV Club, set up a GoFundMe page to help replace the quad. On Saturday the goal was realized as the quad was presented to Daley at a ceremony at Bob's Motor Sports.
Masse admitted he got a little emotional when Daley saw the new ATV for the first time.
"It was an overwhelming experience to do that for somebody," Masse said. "[Daley] was quiet. Anyone who knows him knows he likes to give and help everyone he can, but when it comes to him, he's on the shy side. He's very thankful and very happy."
Masse said the goal for the GoFundMe page was set at $9,000. The group was able to raise an additional $500 which helped modify the 2018 Suzuki King Quad 500. According to Masse, side mirrors and heated grips were added with the money.
Masse said Daley had five choices of different packages to choose from, but ultimately chose the Suzuki, which came with a $500 gas card.
"Plus both brake controls are on the handlebars, which he needs due to the paralysis," Masse said.
However, Masse admitted there was a point when he doubted enough money would be raised to get quad.
"I actually got really nervous the last week because the donations really started to slow down," Masse said. "I started shopping around for a good used, low kilometre ATV for him. Then I looked at Shawn and how he doesn't let being paralyzed stop him from living a normal life and I just kept pushing harder and harder."
Masse said around suppertime Thursday, during the fourth week, multiple donations started coming in. He added a group, which had already donated three times, made sure the goal was matched with a fourth and got the total to $9,000. The ATV club president added that a few more donations trickled in afterwards.
Masse said a total of 120 donations were made from all over the country to complete the goal and added how proud he was of his community for coming together to help someone as deserving and selfless as Daley.