Rotary fund-raiser in honour of ’Mr Hoopla’

The Claremont Rotary Club will hold a Halloween fund-raiser in honour of late Rotarian Paul de Groot, at the end of October.

Papa Paul’s Halloween Party will be held at Marsh Memorial in Rondebosch on Sunday October 31.

The event, to raise money for Rotary’s community projects, will be held in honour of Mr De Groot, who died at his Newlands home last October at the age of 78.

“Paul was a passionate advocate for children and dedicated much of his life to working with and for children, and his life epitomises the Rotary motto of service above self,” said Claremont Rotary president Jo Hobson. “He dedicated his time to assisting those less fortunate than himself through the Rotary organisation.”

Mr De Groot was involved with Reach for a Dream and other community initiatives. He was the original Uncle Willy at the Claremont Rotary fund-raising Christmas parties and “Mr Hoopla”, the well known Cape Town Cycle Tour announcer and starter.

Fund-raising had been very hard during the Covid-19 lockdown, and the second-wave of infections had led to the cancellation of last year’s Uncle Willy’s Christmas Party, said Ms Hobson. The cancellation of the Cape Town Cycle Tour, which Rotary is a beneficiary of, had also been a big blow.

Families will be able to dress in scary costumes and take part in a two-hour scavenger hunt for the Halloween party.

“The adults and children work together hunting for answers to the clues and the important password needed for the second part of the party,” Ms Hobson said.

There will be Halloween-themed games, prizes for best costumes and halaal-friendly food and beverages.

Bookings are through Quicket. Tickets are R100 for a child and R50 for an adult.