WILTSHIRE Times media executive Karina Hooker has completed a personal challenge by tackling Mount Kilimanjaro, the Three Peaks Challenge and the London-Brighton 60-mile trek in just six months.

Ms Hooker, who lives in Trowbridge, raised more than £400 for Headway, a charity supporting those with brain injuries, and Cancer Research.

With her father Malcolm, she completed the Brighton hike and the Three Peaks in May and July before heading for Africa’s highest mountain on October 9 Despite raising hundreds of pounds for charity, walking more than 100 miles, with almost 10,000m of climb, the 28-year-old is modest about her achievement.

“I suppose when you are training really hard you don’t see the bigger picture. I’ve wanted to do this for ages,” she said.

“It only sunk in on the last day. We gave all the porters tips at the end and they sang and danced for us. You realise how special these people are and how grateful you are to them for helping you through.”

On Kilimanjaro Ms Hooker had to battle through freezing temperatures, torrential rain and gnawing self-doubt, brought on by altitude sickness on day four of the ascent.

“You can’t breathe or function properly,” she said. “Your body is screaming at you to go back as you are exhausted but I thought ‘I’ve come this far, I have to keep going’.

“For two days I struggled to eat or drink. That was my lowest point for sure.”

Despite conquering the monster challenge, Ms Hooker is eager for more gargantuan tests. “I’m looking forward to the next one,” she said. “I think you have to have that desire to push yourself to the limit, I get that from my Dad. I wanted to make him proud.”