Tony Galati named Cherry King for second year running

FRUIT and veg legend Tony Galati remains WA’s Cherry King after winning the Cherry season’s first box with a record breaking $50,500 bid – a staggering $24,000 more than his 2014 winning bid.

Joined by ‘cherry royalty’ at the annual Market City Cherry Auction fundraiser for PMH Foundation Mr Galati was thrilled to be the top bidder for two years in a row.

Overall, the auction raised $71,000 – another record breaking total.

Now in its 24th year, the Cherry Auction fundraises for PMH Foundation to support WA children cared for at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, by funding life-saving research, specialist staff, vital equipment, complementary services and capital projects.

MC Tim Gossage arrived with young ambassadors, six-year-old Cherry Princess Ruby Rolph, and seven-year-old Cherry Prince Riley Perrella, who have each spent most of their young lives at the children’s hospital.

Ruby, who loves going to school and wants to be a ballerina when she grows up, was born prematurely at 27 weeks, and was referred to PMH when she was three-months-old when doctors suspected she might have cerebral palsy.

Riley, an engaging and bright young boy who loves history and reading about the ANZACs, has been a PMH patient since he was born with spina bifida, scoliosis and hydrops fetalis.

PMH Foundation chief executive Denys Pearce said the foundation was enormously grateful for the ongoing support and generosity of WA’s fruit and vegetable producers, who have raised $908,000 for PMH Foundation since the event began back in 1992.

“The Cherry Auction has grown from humble origins into a truly heart-warming Christmas tradition which has a real impact helping create better outcomes for WA children at PMH,” he said.