HE MAY have missed out on taking a swing on top of one of the world’s highest mountains, but north Hampshire golf director Neal Granville was still a big hitter when it came to a gruelling charity challenge.

The director of golf at Sandford Springs Golf Club, in Kingsclere, completed an epic climb up Kilimanjaro, raising hundreds of pounds through the tough physical challenge.

Neal, right, had planned to hit a golf ball from the summit of the mountain in Tanzania as part of the challenging feat, but was thwarted by altitude sickness.

He said: “I had a few issues with altitude sickness. It was much worse than we expected. It was very, very tough. I survived in one piece, just about. It was relentless.”

The 36-year-old left for Kilimanjaro on January 31, along with six friends, and returned to the UK last Sunday. The group are raising money for a small charity called Shika, which runs an education centre for orphans in Tanzania.

As part of the 10-day trip Neal, of Northbrook Crescent, Limes Park, Basingstoke, was also able to give golf lessons to the children that Shika supports.

He said: “Being able to meet some of the children we are raising money for did make it worth it.”

Neal is currently just shy of his fundraising target of £2,000. He said: “Anything extra we could get would be fantastic. It’s all for a great cause.” To sponsor Neal, visit justgiving.com/nealgranville.