A team at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, USA have been studying injuries and illness amongst team mascots at American Football games.

The furry fools came up with some frightening statistics. 58% had experienced heat related injuries, half of these had needed intravenous drips and one was hospitalised. Knee problems, ankle sprains, being hit by golf carts, falling down stairs and getting into fights accounted for several other serious injuries. “You can’t believe how many ways mascots get injured,” said Edward McFarland, director of sports medicine at Johns Hopkins.

Perhaps most chilling was the reply from a spokeswoman at Disneyland Europe who said “We don’t have costumed mascots, Mickey isn’t a character – he’s Mickey.” A clear case of having your brain boiled in the sun for several years.

And why on earth should we be remotely be interested in this? Well A) it’s Friday, when the stupid stories traditionally come out to play and, err, B) we wouldn’t want you pulling on that charity ride costume without realising it could all go furry belly up if you’re not careful.