CHERRY KING TAKES DOUBLE

A kilogram of the finest plump, red cherries from the South West has been sold for $10,000.

The 16^th annual Charity Cherry Auction, held at market City in Canning Vale, has raised just over $40,000.for Princess Margaret Hospital for Children.

"Light yields of cherries due to the lack of poor spring pollination and good market prices didn't prevent their generous donation of cherries" said Tim Birmingham, member of The Cherry Growers Association of WA.

Since the first Charity Cherry Auction in 1992 more than $340,000 has been raised for PMH.

Mark Sun from Sunlong Fresh Foods and Yuan Chang Fresh Foods is the cherry king for the second year in a row, after paying $10,000 for a one-kilo box of WA cherries.

Other successful bidders at the auction included Rodney Dullard ($5,900) of Chantec Pty Ltd, Sam Pizzata ($3,000) of The Fruit Basket, Jason Bell ($2,500) from Toyota Material Handling, Arthur Psaltis ($3,000) of Combined Growers fruit and veg, John Allesandrini ($4,000) of Tony Ale and Co, Shane Patching ($3,300) of SJ Fresh, ($4,300) of Mirrabooka Fresh, Sac Meechamnan ($4,000) of Mr Fresh Carine.

"The proceeds are going to purchase an innovative hydro surgery system at Princess Margaret Children's Hospital. This is a specialised powered surgical instrument designed to improve care for patients undergoing wound debridement in the operating room,"said CEO of the PMH foundation Vern Reid.

This event was made possible with the continued support of the Chamber of Fruit & Vegetable Industries in WA, the Perth Market Authority and the Cherry Growers' Association of WA.

(above) Cherry King Mark Sun of Sunlong Fresh and
Yuan Chang Fresh with Brooke O'Brien (left) and Cristina Bono.