Annual Charity Cherry Auction tips $2 million mark for Perth Children’s Hospital after cherries sell for $85K

A new cherry king has been crowned after a prized box of the crimson fruit was bought for a massive $85,000 — and all for a good cause.

The Charity Cherry Auction held at Perth Markets on Friday morning saw a heated battle between high-profile fresh produce retailers to raise money for the Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Spud King Tony Galati was among the top bidders, given his successful reign as “cherry king” several times.

But it was first-timer Luch Monte, from Monte Farms, who claimed the title by buying the 5kg of Sweet Cherry Valley fruit for $85,000.

“A lot of growers, buyers and stockists come together and just go crazy for this one day,” he said.

“We raised more than $140,000, so it will hopefully give the kids a better life. Two million dollars overall is a great result.”

With a total of six boxes of cherries auctioned off, the event raised more than $150,000 for the PCH Foundation, tipping the total amount raised since the auction began in 1992 to $2 million.

The money will go towards the Rare Care Centre and helping children such as Savannah Tucker, who is the only person in WA with TRAPPC9.

The condition is a gene deficiency that causes a rare neurodevelopmental syndrome and affects cognitive and motor development.

“Lots of children have rare conditions that are hidden and undiagnosed, so the money that has been raised will benefit so much research into finding new diagnosis and then also assisting children with rare diseases,” Savannah’s mum Trinh said.

“The Rare Care Centre is amazing and without these kind of events it is really hard for them to get the support they need and to help us as well.

“The Rare Care Centre has been fantastic as Savannah has something so rare that you don’t know where to turn to, so having having them to help us on the journey is amazing.”