Police raise funds for child in need of transport

MIAMI (WSVN) -- After more than six months in the making, the City of Miami Police Department has reached their goal to help a young girl battling a debilitating disease.

On Thursday, 9-year-old Angelyn Guiterrez recieved the gift they traveled miles to give her. 7News first brought you this story in May.

Miami Police officials pedaling with a purpose to raise money for the family of Angelyn, who suffers from cerebral palsy-- a debilitating brain disorder. Six months later, their goal is reached.

Thursday, the department, along with VPG Autos, provided Angelyn and her family with a brand new sport utility vehicle, customized just for her. "Oh, my God! This is great. This is wonderful," said Aida Guiterrez, Angelyn's mother. "This is going to make a big difference for my daughter and our family. This is going to get her to everywhere she needs to go. She's going to love it."

The 9-year-old, straight-A student is unable to walk, sit or stand up without help. After learning about her story, officers embarked on a three-day, 240-mile bike ride, from Miami to Orlando to provide her family with a specially made vehicle, equipped with an electric wheelchair ramp.

"I was part of this team," said Police Sgt. Freddie Cruz, "so I can actually tell you that three days, riding from Miami to Orlando on a mountain bike was quite excruciating, but you know what? We succeeded, and our goal was met."

Mike Carney, Chief Marketing Officer of VPG Autos, added, "You saw how easy she gets in with the ramp. It's a wonderful design that came out of all the research and all the help we had with building the car."

Angelyn's mom has a simple message to everyone who made this possible: "I thank everyone, the City of Miami. I thank Mr. Carney. I thank everyone. I'm so excited."

After reaching their goal of raising $35,000, the police department said all other donations will go towards the fight against cerebral palsy.

(Copyright 2012 by Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)