Annual Sydney Markets Foundation Cherry Ball raises A$260,000 for charity partner, Little Wings
A 5kg box of cherries from Warby Ranges, north-east Victoria, has been auctioned off for a record-breaking A$260,000 at the annual Sydney Markets Foundation Cherry Ball held on 29 November 2025, with the proceeds donated to this year’s charity partner, Little Wings.
For the first time in its 44-year history, the cherry auction saw two businesses named cherry royalty, with both Parisi and Trims Fresh Merrylands taking the crown of Cherry King and Queen.
Both businesses placed winning bids of A$80,000 each, with Trims Fresh Merrylands’ bid supported by a secondary donation. Additional pledges totalled A$20,000 from Sydney Markets Credit Services and A$80,000 from a consortium of Sydney Markets businesses.
“The Cherry Ball is a highlight of our summer produce calendar, bringing together growers, retailers, and community supporters to celebrate our incredible Australian produce and make a real difference. The highly coveted box of cherries hand-selected to go under the hammer was from Smiths Fruit in Wangaratta, for the second consecutive year. Its Royal Hazel Premium Cherry was chosen by the judging panel as the prize varietal from nine different entrants,” said Meegan George, Sydney Markets Foundation CEO.
For the second year running, all proceeds from the cherry auction were donated to charity partner, Little Wings. The charity provides free, safe, and professional air and ground transport for seriously ill children across New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, and Queensland, and provides additional support services to families in the Northern Territory, Tasmania, Victoria, and South Australia.
“This year’s record-breaking auction result of A$260,000 demonstrates the generosity of our community and ensures children in regional and rural areas can access the vital care they need, no matter the distance. Every bid truly changes lives and this result highlights the way our community has joined forces and dug deep, surpassing all expectations,” commented George.
The Doyle family from Forbes attended the Ball with their eight-year-old son, Leo, who lives with cone-rod dystrophy. As Leo’s condition is expected to worsen over time, the family relies on Little Wings to access his medical specialists and is among the many regional families whose lives are made easier through the organisation’s vital services. In the last financial year, Little Wings supported 5,110 children and delivered 109 regional Medical Wings clinics, providing preventative care, early diagnosis, and health literacy support to children and families.
The proceeds from the 2024 cherry auction enabled the organisation to run an additional two missions per week, expanding its reach significantly across rural and regional communities.
“We are incredibly grateful to Sydney Markets Foundation and everyone who supported the cherry auction this year. Every single dollar counts, and these much needed funds will allow us to maximise the impact of our work as we continue to expand our services and support even more families, ensuring that seriously ill children in rural and regional communities can get the medical care they need when they need it most,” said Clare Pearson, CEO of Little Wings.
“The cherry auction is one of our most treasured traditions, celebrating the first cherries of the season and the generosity of our Markets community. Since its inception, the auction has raised more than two million dollars and continues to bring the community together year after year. We especially thank Parisi and Trims Fresh Merrylands for their support and partnership in helping us turn a simple cherry into something life-changing. It’s a wonderful reminder of what makes Sydney Markets so special and a place where our industry unites to make a real difference,” said Anthony Boyd, CEO of Sydney Markets.
