There was record smashing in the air at this morning’s 18th Market City Charity Cherry Auction.

An unprecedented price of $31,500 was paid for a 1kg box of the season’s first plump and juicy cherries by new Cherry King Tony Galati of The Spud Shed, Baldivis.

A phenomenal $78,830 was raised in total by generous industry bidders for the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation- the largest sum ever collected in the history of the auction.

Traditionally held at 7am on the first Friday in December at Market City, Canning Vale, the auction raises funds by celebrating the start of the WA-grown cherry season, with bidders staking their claim on eight 1kg boxes of the freshest local cherries.

Industry identity Tony Galati fought off stiff competition from previous Cherry Kings to emerge victorious for the final box, graciously crowning his son and daughter, Frank and Alana Galati, as honorary Cherry King and Queen.

"It’s a wonderful cause to be helping and I also bid up big to celebrate the opening of my new Wanneroo market outlet" said Galati.

Over $470,000 in total has been raised for the kids at the Princess Margaret Hospital since the auction’s inception in 1992, helping to purchase an array of essential equipment and services.

"We are absolutely thrilled at the record amount raised at the Cherry Auction for Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation this year" said Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation CEO, Don McLean.

"Over $78,000 is an incredible achievement and will be used to purchase vital equipment for the sick and injured children at PMH. A huge thank you to the generous bidders and the Cherry Growers’ Association of WA and Market City for their continued support."

The10 boxes of cherries auctioned were kindly donated by the Cherry Growers’ Association of WA and were auctioned by Jim Reagan, ably assisted by Richard Bloomfield. Toyota Material Handling looked after any hunger pangs with a sizzling breakfast spread, with all proceeds going to the worthy cause.

This special event is made possible with the continued support of the Chamber of Fruit & Vegetable Industries in WA, the Perth Market Authority, Toyota Material Handling and the Cherry Growers’ Association of WA.