Cherry kings crowned

Sam Napoli, of Balcatta Growers Fresh, and his business associate Joe Cosentino, of Napoli Mercato, have been jointly crowned WA Cherry Kings, after they placed the winning bid of $55,000 for a box of cherries at the Market City Charity Cherry Auction.

The annual auction, held on December 9, raised a record $106,950 for Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation.

PCH Foundation chief executive Denys Pearce said the event had raised more than $1 million for Princess Margaret Hospital for Children since it began more than two decades ago.

“The generosity and support of WA’s growers, wholesalers and retailers at the auction has been amazing, which means the foundation can continue to provide grants for specialist medical equipment and research,” he said.

Auctioneer Peter Holmes warmed up the crowd with the sale of 10 boxes of cherries before the grand finale.

A combined total of $51,950 was raised with the generous support of Shane Patching, of SJ Fresh, Ahmad Birkawi, of Mirrabooka Fresh, Sam Napoli, of Balcatta Fresh, John Ale, of Tony Ale, Rodney Dullard, of Key Produce, Basil Gotsis, of Fresh Provisions, Jordan Brindle, of Canning Bridge IGA, Nav Bhandari, of Ranford Fresh, Shawn Offer, of Fresh Provisions and Jannet Patching, of SJ Fresh.

In the finale, Mr Napoli’s bid of $55,000 was the highest price paid in the history of the auction.