A businesswoman has completed her gruelling trek to the summit of Africa’s tallest peak in aid of Keighley teacher Adam Pickles, the victim of an attack in Thailand.

Katie Jones reached the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to watch the sun rise after six days of hiking and a seven-hour final climb in darkness and freezing temperatures.

The 36-year-old, whose efforts have raised hundreds of pounds with pledges still being made, said her life has been changed by the challenge dubbed “PickleManjaro” in aid of her friend, former Bradford Grammar School pupil Mr Pickles, who remains in a coma in Leeds General Infirmary.

Miss Jones said: “I had doubts as to whether I would make it to the top as it was so hard – physically, mentally and emotionally.

“The altitude made you feel lightheaded, sick, dizzy and so short of breath – it was really quite surreal. After that final climb I found myself watching the most incredible sunrise across glaciers. I had a massive smile on my face, partly in disbelief that I had actually made it to the roof of Africa.”

Miss Jones, a director of education recruitment firm Provide Education, which has offices in Brighouse , marked her moment at the summit – 20,000 feet above sea level – by having her photograph taken with the specially-made T-shirt in aid of Mr Pickles, 40, who is still battling to wake up three months on from the brutal attack in Thailand that nearly killed him.

The father-of-one, who grew up in Riddlesden , Keighley, is making “sound progress” and has been moved from a high-dependency unit to a neurological ward.

Nurses have noticed clear movements in his facial expressions.

Miss Jones, who visited him at Christmas in Thailand just months before the attack, said thoughts of her close friend helped her keep going as fatigue and high emotion set in.

The total will be added to overall funds raised so far, which now stand at about £80,000. Adam’s care in Thailand and repatriation fees totalled £123,000, but costs are expected to rise through legal bills and money need to help with rehabilitation.

Sean Henry Tinsley, 43, of Wolverhampton, who has been charged with attempting to murder Mr Pickles, has been released by the Thai authorities until a future trial.

People can still sponsor Miss Jones at: facebook.com/#!/events/ 396292430431306/. To view the Pickle Aid website and campaign video visit donatetoadam.org