starter on an old abused dry yeast pack?

I have a packet of nottingham yeast that I actually lost last year in the brew shed.. I recently discovered it behind and under some stuff. I need some yeast and the brew shop is an hour away...This stuff has probably been over heated...frozen and everything in between. I did a search and there are reasons to NOT do a starter on dry yeast but in this case I think doing to check viability is prudent....what do you all think?

I would just pitch it. The pack is nitrogen flushed and shelf stable - I don't think anything is wrong with it at all. Have more yeast on standby obviously but I vote for just pitch it.

Rehydrate! It will foam a bit if it's still active.

I just used one that was 10 years old. with good results. I had an active ferment in less than 24 hours. If concerned boil some water and then cool it to about 80 Degrees and see if it foams. I would use it

Yep, I would at least "proof" that yeast, maybe even proof it in a bit of boiled cooled malt extract just to get them jump started. Normally I don't make a starter with dry yeast but with old abused yeast I wouuld just so I can assure viability.