Even Noddy the Tortoise is benefitting from the community spirit

Published: 7 May 2020

Community spirit in this crisis period is really coming to the fore as people find ways to help each other, whether by delivering supplies or raising spirits.

With volunteers delivering food parcels from street to street, one resident in Pinhoe put in a slightly unusual order.

A 40-year-old tortoise named Noddy was struggling to keep up his leafy green and salad habit. Noddy’s owner Madelin Bexon is currently isolating and put out a call for his favourite food. The community rallied round to donate lettuces and bags of dandelion leaves.

Among those helping with deliveries was local resident Tess, aged 10.

Noddy is fast becoming a local celebrity, and his family have recently initiated the ‘Tortoise Project’. Children are being asked to grow lettuce at home over the coming weeks and find out more about tortoises as a research task.

Many children and adults are trying out their green fingers for Noddy, and Madelin is hopeful that the project will encourage learning and storytelling for children staying at home.

Volunteers across the wider Exeter community continue to support those in need at this challenging time. The Exeter Community Wellbeing Hub is a council-run service that connects volunteers with people in their area who need assistance.

To volunteer your time or to request support, get in touch with the Exeter Community Wellbeing Hub.

Call 01392 265000. Lines open Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm, Sat – Sun, 9am – 12 midday. For

For more information visit https://exeter.gov.uk/clean-safe-city/community-safety/coronavirus/exeter-community-wellbeing/