Ashlenn’s personal quest for the cherry crown

Young’s annual Cherry Festival has been called off for a second year in a row due to COVID-19.

Despite the set back, four young women are continuing to raise money for community organisations and compete in this year’s contest to be crowned 2021 Cherry Queen.

Ashlenn Bannister is raising funds for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) research. Trudi Summerfield is raising funds for the Young PCYC. Rachael Smyth is raising funds for the Young Crisis Accommodation Centre.

Ashlenn is an 18-year-old Hilltops born and bred local, currently a first year hairdressing apprentice at Scissor Sisters in Young.

This is her first time entering the Cherry Queen competition.

“I entered the competition to be involved within the community, meet new people, and raise money for a much needed organisation,” she said. “After the competition I will continue to work to raise funds for MND.”

She chose to support MND because it’s an organisation close to her heart. Her Grandad passed away from MND in 2016.

“The MND Research is constantly being worked on and I wish that one day a cure for MND is found,” she said.

Meeting new people, expanding community involvement and having fun are other inspirations.

The National Cherry Festival is still set to proceed from Dec 3 to 12 in a scaled back format. The program is set to include the Coronation of the Cherry King and Queen, photo competition and art show, farmers markets, shopping promotion and a virtual reality activity.

• Topics:

• National Cherry Festival