Box of cherries sold for A$60,000 at Perth Markets to raise money for Rare Care Centre at Perth Children’s Hospital
Perth’s annual Cherry Auction saw heated bidding among Western Australia’s fruit and vegetable industry leaders, with the first cherries of the summer auctioned for A$60,000.
The Cherry Auction, held at Perth Markets in Canning Vale, is now in its 33rd year and once again raised vital funds for Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation (PCHF).
The title of this year’s cherry queen went to nine-year-old Freya Galati of Galati Group, one of the youngest Cherry Queens in the event’s history. Continuing her family’s proud legacy in Western Australia’s fresh produce sector, Freya took the title from last year’s cherry king, Luciano Monte of Monte Farms.
Tony Galati said: “We’ve been involved in the Cherry Auction for quite a few years now. It’s a great cause and we’ll keep on supporting it every year. We’re so lucky to have such an incredible hospital here in Western Australia for our kids. Anyone that can support should jump in because they do an amazing job”.
Frankie Galati, CEO of Galati Group, added: “A couple of years ago my daughter Freya was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and ended up spending a week in hospital, which was a big shock for our family. But the staff and the team at Perth Children’s Hospital were fantastic. So, we’ve seen firsthand the impact of the funding and what it makes possible”.
Thanks to 29kg of fresh West Australian cherries donated by local growers from the state’s southwest, the auction raised a total of more than $115,000. For the 20th consecutive year, Donnybrook’s Sweet Cherry Valley provided the coveted 5kg prize box.
Funds raised for PCHF support the Rare Care Centre at Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH), which addresses the challenges faced by the 63,000 WA kids with rare and undiagnosed diseases. The Centre helps to improve care pathways, provides family support, drives system-level advocacy and fosters research and innovation.
This year’s Cherry prince was seven-year-old Thomas Hollowell. Thomas is the world’s only known survivor of the ultra-rare ‘Empty Liver Syndrome’, one of just three cases ever recorded. Thomas received a lifesaving liver transplant at just three weeks old, and now growing up in regional Western Australia, he and his family are accessing specialised support through the Rare Care Centre.
Thomas’ mum, Anna, said: “He was the third case in the world and the first to survive. His liver was literally empty, there were no working cells at all, except for a few bile cells. Even the transplant specialist had never seen anything like it. Because his condition is so rare, we don’t know no what the future holds – no one does.“When you leave the hospital, you often feel like you’re on your own. One minute you have no idea about the medical world, and the next you’re thrown into it. Rare Care made sure we weren’t alone They helped us find the right GP, the right therapies – everything”.
PCHF CEO Carrick Robinson said: “The Cherry Auction is more than just a celebration of the first cherries of the season; it’s a powerful demonstration of the generosity of our local market community.
“While each individual condition may be rare, collectively more than 63,000 kids across the state will face the challenges of rare or undiagnosed condition.
“Year on year, the market community comes together to raise vital funds for PCHF, this year again directly supporting the Rare Care Centre, and helping kids like Thomas get the care, support, and guidance they and their families need. Every bid, donation, and kilo of cherries auctioned today makes a real difference.”
Market West chief executive Rod McPherson said: “Market West’s history and commitment to the charity Cherry Auction for PCHF continues to strengthen. Our members and the wider market community look forward to the Cherry Auction each year, as it supports a cause close to their hearts. Their involvement in this vital cause is a key component of the fabric of the market community.
“Congratulations to all our bidders, who once again generously put their hands in their pockets to uphold the tradition of providing much-needed funds that enable the Foundation to carry on their great work.”
This year’s stunning ceremonial box, containing the prized cherries, was crafted from she-oak and jarrah burl by Phil Staniford of the Donnybrook Men’s Shed, and features a brass plaque generously donated by Trophies West.
The Cherry Auction is proudly run and hosted by Market West and Perth Markets Group, with support from the Cherry Growers Association. The Cherry Auction has now raised over A$2.12mn for PCHF over the past 33 years.
