One man and his little felt dog

Mark Mageean cycled to the top of the cobbled climb of Haworth High Street

Joining him will be a Sybil, one of many mini felt creatures raising awareness of the disease on social media.

The hashtags #hounds4huntingtons and #sybilontour feature little dogs, cats and other animals on various adventures across the globe from holidaying in Spain to climbing the three peaks.

Mark and his Sybil will track their progress on social media from September 10 as they make their way up the country over nine days.

Jackie Harrison, ready for her Three Peaks challenge with a little Sybil going along for the ride

Mark said: “Since starting out on this challenge I have been contacted by a number of people within the local community whose family or friends have also been affected by Huntington’s Disease.

“It is really surprising to find out how many people and families are affected by HD as in the past it had often been referred to as a silent or hidden disease.”

Huntington’s disease is a hereditary disorder of the central nervous system that affects both men and women and can cause a variety of symptoms.

Mark’s aunt Norma and three cousins, Margaret, Rosemary and Robert, each developed and sadly died from the disease.

Getting ready for a Yorkshire Caving Adventure

Jackie Harrison of Bailiff Bridge sent Mark his Sybil when she found out about his challenge on social media.

Jackie created the Facebook page Hounds 4 Huntingtons to share the adventures of the mini ‘Sybils’ as they go on adventures to raise awareness of Huntington’s Disease.

The mini Sybils are named after her own border terrier and came about after she made some felt dogs to give to her friend as tree decorations.

Her dad’s friend requested one in exchange for a donation to the Huntington’s Disease Association and that’s when the idea was born.

Some Sybils ready to begin their adventures

Jackie said: “#sybilontour is inspired by our own dog Sybil and is erasing awareness of Huntington’s disease up mountains, down caves, with pedal power, including one on tour with the Handlebards, a group of cycling Shakespearean actors, and steam.

“By sharing the adventures of #sybilontour we hope to raise awareness of Huntington’s, a disease which has affected three generations of my family.”

Anyone wanting their very own Sybil can contact Jackie on Facebook or Twitter @jaq421.

If you would like to support Mark’s challenge donations can be made via his VirginMoneyGiving Page www.virginmoneygiving.com/MarkMageean