2019 Market City Annual Charity Cherry Auction

The 27th annual Market City Charity Cherry Auction held Friday morning saw heated competition between Perth’s highest-profile fresh produce retailers, who bid against one another for the title of Cherry King or Queen in support of Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Tony Galati of Galati Group, John Ale of Tony Ale and Co and Fred Fairthorne of Farmer Jack’s collectively took the title of Cherry King by purchasing a box of cherries for a record-breaking

$110,000. This winning bid matches the 2010 national record held by Sydney Markets, bringing the total raised for the day to $131,000. In less than three decades the growers and produce community in WA has donated a staggering $1.3 million to the Foundation.

“There is nothing more important than the health of kids. We’re expecting our first, so it’s more important to us now than ever before,” remarked John Ale.

Funds raised from this year’s auction will support the development of specialised paediatric vaccines at the Paediatric Systems Biology Centre. A one-shot flu vaccine could be available in as little as two years. This means children born after 2021 will possibly never have to experience the flu. The experts are already here and, with adequate funding, there is no reason this vision could not be achieved.

This humble Christmas tradition kicked off with the special arrival of the Foundation Christmas ambassadors and Perth Children’s Hospital cardiology patients, Cherry Prince Malin and Cherry Princess Freya. They entered the central trading area in a Cherry covered Toyota Hilux thanks to Maddington and Canning Vale Toyota. The crew from Toyota Material Handling manned a sausage sizzle.

Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation CEO Carrick Robinson said funds raised from the Cherry Auction have, and continue to, play a large part in funding specialist medical equipment, expertise, research and positive patient experiences, thanks to the ongoing support of Market West on behalf of their Members, the Perth Markets Group Limited and the Cherry Growers’ Association of WA.

“With this year’s Cherry Auction again raising an incredible amount for the Foundation, we are extremely grateful to WA’s fresh produce wholesalers and retailers for their continued generous support. The difference that can be made by purchasing a box of cherries is immense,” added Mr Robinson.