Mangoes go under the hammer to help sick kids

The first mangoes of the 2001 season will go under the hammer this week to benefit sick kids at The Children's Hospital at Westmead. This year's auction is the 11th organised by Joe Fuda from Advance Produce to benefit sick children.

Organisers are hoping to raise around $25,000 for the Centre for Kidney Research based at The Children's Hospital at Westmead. One of the major roles of this centre is to explore ways of making kidney transplants more successful within children. The ultimate aim of this research is to allow children to receive a kidney transplant without requiring lifelong medication.

Before the mangoes go under the hammer several impressive sporting items will also be auctioned, including:

• 'Farewell to Cricket' limited edition print signed by Don Bradman
• 'I am the Greatest' photo signed by Mohammad Ali
• Limited edition cricket bat signed by 12 of Australia's greatest cricketers
• Parramatta Eels jersey signed by all members of the 2001 Minor Premiership winning team
• Anna Kournikova signed photograph
• Two rare framed photographs of Phar Lap racing its last ever race in the USA in 1932

The mango season usually runs from late September to March, and they are grown predominantly in the hot and humid conditions of Northern Australia. This season's first mangoes will come all the way from Pine Creek in the Northern Territory.

The Mango Auction will take place at 7.30am on Thursday 20 September 2001 at the Sydney Produce Market, Advance Produce Pty Ltd, Stands 287-288 of 'C' Building.

All media is invited to attend this event and also to accompany the organisers and special guests to The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Hawkesbury Road, Westmead after the auction at 10am to distribute the mangoes to sick children.

For all media enquiries, please contact:

Julie Stromborg
Public Relations Officer
Ph: (02) 9845 3580
Fax: (02) 9845 3567
Pager: (02) 9845 0000 and quote page no. 6920