UPDATE: The first family to benefit from the groundbreaking $260,000 raised at the 2025 Cherry Auction is officially in the air, marking the start of over 170 life-changing missions to assist seriously ill children across Australia.
Five-year-old Oscar Cherry, hailing from Armidale, is the first child to receive support from this record-setting donation. Born with cystic fibrosis (CF), a severe condition impacting both respiratory and digestive systems, Oscar requires ongoing specialist care, including regular visits to the Cystic Fibrosis Clinic every three months.
Thanks to the charity Little Wings, Oscar and his family can now travel at no cost to essential medical appointments using safe air and ground transport, including special provisions like a stroller and car seat.
Oscar’s mother, Carmen, expressed profound gratitude, stating, “We honestly don’t know how we would manage without Little Wings. Knowing we can get him the care he needs safely, without the stress and cost of long road trips, means everything to our family.”
For the second consecutive year, all proceeds from the Sydney Markets Foundation Cherry Auction were donated to Little Wings, which offers free, safe transportation services for seriously ill children across New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, and Queensland. The charity has recently expanded its reach to the Northern Territory, Tasmania, Victoria, and South Australia, underscoring its commitment to support vulnerable families.
Little Wings operates with an impressive 90 percent volunteer workforce, with all pilots and drivers donating their time and skills to ensure this critical community service remains available.
CEO of Little Wings, Clare Pearson, emphasized the immediate impact of the funds, stating, “Every single dollar counts, and these much-needed funds allow us to maximise the impact of our work as we continue to expand our services and support even more families.”
Meanwhile, Meegan George, CEO of the Sydney Markets Foundation, praised the community’s generosity, noting, “This year’s record-breaking auction result of $260,000 demonstrates the generosity of our community and ensures children in regional and rural areas can access the vital care they need, no matter the distance.”
The significant funds raised during the 2025 Cherry Auction are set to transform the lives of many children like Oscar, who rely on essential medical care. With the first mission already underway, all eyes are on the impact of this initiative as it continues to unfold over the next year.
Stay tuned for more updates on how this charitable effort is changing lives and providing critical support to families in need.
