Cherry Auction King gives the ultimate gift to WA’s seriously ill children
The 29th Charity Cherry Auction at the Perth Markets 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.
John Alessandrini – on behalf of his father Tony Alessandrini (Tony Ale) and the Alessandrini family – took out the title of Cherry King by purchasing a box of cherries for a generous $50,000. With a total of 12 boxes of cherries auctioned throughout the morning, the event raised $86,000 for Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation. In less than three decades the growers and produce community in WA has donated a staggering $1.5 million to the Foundation.
This humble Christmas tradition kicked off with the special arrival of the Foundation Christmas Ambassadors Imogen and Maddy who have both been treated by the Perth Children’s Hospital for cancer. This year’s donations will go towards the oncology department to help kids fighting cancer.
The Cherry Princesses entered the Central Trading Area in a cherry covered Toyota Landcruiser thanks to Canning Vale and Maddington Toyota. The cherries this year were donated by Sweet Cherry Valley Orchards, Cherry Lane Fields, J & C Russo, A Guadagnino, Licciardello and Karintha Orchards. The ceremonial jarrah box was made by Dick Gill and Simon Kapel from the Donnybrook Men’s shed.
| 2021 Cherry Auction |
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| Donations | Amount | |
| Toyota Materials Handling BBQ Donations | $860.00 | |
| Market West coffee & Omega Fresh fruit salad donations | $228.00 | |
| Winning Bids: | ||
| Bidder | Business | Amount |
| Tony Alessandrini | $50,000.00 | |
| Rodney Dullard | Key Produce | $5,000.00 |
| Gerry Guariglia | Fresh Provisions | $5,000.00 |
| Sam Napoli | Napoli Mercato | $4,000.00 |
| Franki Galati | Spudshed | $3,000.00 |
| Jordan Brindle | The Good Grocer | $3,000.00 |
| John Hussaini | Dianella Fresh | $3,000.00 |
| Mark Moyes | Canning Vale & Maddington Toyota | $3,000.00 |
| Carlo Noto | C & A Noto | $2,000.00 |
| Colin Parks | JMC Produce | $3,000.00 |
| Gerry Guariglia | Fresh Provisions | $3,000.00 |
| Esmari Bradley | Key Produce | $2,000.00 |
| Total Funds Raised: | $87,088.00 | |
As is always the case, 100% of proceeds directly benefit the Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation.