Friends, community rally for family of Hobart father Dave Hoppitt after two-year cancer battle ends

Father-of-four Dave Hoppitt was the kind of bloke who would do anything for others, but last week he passed away after a two-year cancer battle. Here’s how the community is supporting his family.

Dave Hoppitt, with wife Alyce and children (left to right) Arabella 3, Fergus 8, Dougie 5, and Indi 10. Dave lost his two-year battle with testicular cancer on 27 August 2024. Picture: Supplied

Father-of-four Dave Hoppitt was the kind of bloke who would do anything for other people.

Described by family friend Nicky Paine as a committed family man and the most generous and positive person she had ever met, the 38-year-old passed away last week following a two-year battle with cancer.

With Mr Hoppitt leaving behind wife Alyce, and young children Indi, Fergus, Dougie, and Arabella, Ms Paine established an online auction to generate financial support for her heartbroken friend, whom she first met in mother’s group more than a decade ago.

Nicola Paine is organising an online auction to help raise funds for Alyce Hoppitt and her children after losing husband and father Dave Hoppitt to cancer on August 27th 2024 after being diagnosed in July 2022. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

As the Hoppitts prepare to farewell their beloved father and husband on Friday, Ms Paine expressed her gratitude to the multitude of donors who had answered the sudden call for help.

“Dave was just an absolute gem of a bloke, and they literally broke the mould when they made him,” Ms Paine said.

“He was one of those really hands-on dads, always out at the footy field with the kids and involved in their sports.

“He was well known in the soccer community, and was just really fit and healthy.

“It’s so sad that these things always seem to happen to the nicest people.

“But it was overwhelming how many people wanted to donate to the auction, and to offered their support without hesitation.

“The challenge now is getting members of the community onto the website to make a bid.” Tragically, members of the Hoppitt family are no strangers to bereavement, with Dave’s younger brother, Andrew, passing away in 2005 aged just 21 following a sky-diving accident. Ms Paine paid tribute to Mr Hoppitt’s bravery during his cancer ordeal, saying that he had dealt with his diagnosis and subsequent treatment with strength.

And with the auction site ready to go live on Thursday, Ms Paine thanked the more than 60 individuals and businesses who had rushed to the grieving family’s aid.

“I reached out, and everyone was so forthcoming in wanting to help,” she said.

“Restaurants, artists, hotels, furniture makers, you name it, they all responded.

“My brother-in-law Tim Paine even offered a one-on-one cricket coaching session.

“Aside from financial support, the Eastern Shore community will always be there for Alyce, making sure the kids are still playing with their friends, having sleepovers, and getting to sports.”

The online auction, hosted by GalaBid, will remain open for 10 days.

A GoFundMe page, created by another family friend, Amelia Barber, has already raised more than $50,000 for the Hoppitts.

Originally published as Friends, community rally for family of Hobart father Dave Hoppitt after two-year cancer battle ends