Gedney Hill Golf Club's Terry Grantham is hoping to celebrate 90th birthday with charity challenge

The perfect 90th birthday present for Terry Grantham would be to get 90 players to take part in his popular fundraising golf day.

That’s certainly his aim as he invites players to take part in this year’s St Barnabas Charity Golf Day at Gedney Hill Golf Club next month.

Mr Grantham turns 90 on Monday, June 14 and the 12th annual fundraiser will be held a few days later on Friday, June 18.

He said: “I came up with the silly idea of 90 people playing on my 90th birthday. It’s the same week so it’s a double celebration.

“We normally get just over 60 but I am hopeful.

“As I said to my friends, it would be easier to get 90 people playing for my 90th birthday than get 100 for the 100th.”

The 11 previous events have raised just under £12,000 for the hospice thanks to fees from players and sponsorship of holes from businesses.

Last year alone, the event raised £1,154 despite the fact that the coronavirus pandemic made life slightly trickier for players and organisers.

Terry has been a strong supporter of the hospice for decades - having been impressed with the level of care offered to loved ones who were able to end their lives on the best possible note.

When he moved to the area 25 years ago he became a driver for St Barnabas - which offers day therapy in Clover Way, Spalding as well as a range of services across the county.

He has also given a number of talks on the topic for the last 20 years and said the work done by the charity is ‘absolutely amazing’.

Mr Grantham said: “It’s something quite near to my heart and when the chance came up to do a charity golf day I thought why not?”

The sprightly 89-year-old is a keen golfer himself and retains a passion for helping others through this popular event.

He said: “It keeps me out of mischief

“I think you need to have ambition in life. I know of people, perhaps younger than me, that don’t do what they ought to do and enjoy life as much as they can.”

The charity golf day is staged with permission of Charles Britton and runs from 8am to 6pm.

Entry to the ‘AM-AM tournament’ costs £15 per player and the price includes food and drink.

Organisers say they will be following government guidelines for social distancing at the event.

Anyone who wants to find out more information about the golf day or wishes to support the cause can call Mr Grantham on 01775 762730 or Kerr Page on 01406 330922.