Appeal tribute to tortoise’s best mate
THOUSANDS of pounds have been raised in memory of the owner of one of Gloucestershire’s most famous pub-going pets.
The fundraiser, to remember Jason Smith, owner of Tewkesbury tortoise Nancy Drew, has raised over £2,000 in the space of just five weeks.
It was started last month after Jason’s wife Kate announced he had died from heart complications at the age of 49.
Jason was well known in the area and could regularly be seen out walking around the village with Nancy – despite the name, a male tortoise – by his side on a leash.
Kate also announced the fundraiser, with money going to the Hillside Animal Sanctuary, a cause close to Jason’s heart.
Following the publc response to the appeal, she said: “Can I please say a huge thank you to the people of Tewkesbury who donated to Jason Smith’s memorial fundraiser. The amount raised was an unbelievable £2,483, which has been sent to Hillside Animal Sanctuary in his memory.
“Hillside wrote to me to say the donation has allowed them to buy seven green arc shelters for their smaller rescued animals – ponies, goats, pigs, donkeys and sheep – to protect them from the elements and provide shade from the sun on hotter days.
“They have also said they will be putting an engraved plaque on the wall in Jason’s memory.
“On behalf of Jason, myself and, of course, Nancy Drew and Millie, please accept my thanks and love for all your help and kindness at this difficult time.
“I shall leave the fund open for a few more months to give anyone else the chance to donate if they would like to.”
The Echo first reported on Jason and Nancy Drew’s adventures last year when footage emerged of Jason taking the tortoise on a walk to the pub.
Nancy Drew was rescued from a pet shop in Hull by Jason’s stepdaughter Charlotte, 27, when she was studying at university.
She had spotted he was upside down in the window, which can be fatal.
After informing the shop owner and being unhappy with their response, the student decided to give the reptile a better life and brought him home to Tewkesbury.
Nancy has since become popular around the town.
Rachel Langdon, who runs The Nottingham Arms pub, previously said of the tortoise: “He’s most definitely a hit with our customers. He doesn’t do a lot and seems happy eating some cucumber and going to sleep.”
Kate said: “Everyone seems to love seeing Nancy; it’s as though she now belongs to Tewkesbury.
“People say they miss seeing her during these colder months, but I dare say she’ll be back banging on the garden gate in March wanting to go out walking. Unfortunately, it’ll be me having to take her and she never seems to go where I want her to.
“Jason was definitely her favourite, but maybe it’s because he used to take her to the pub!”