Gold underpants spotted on London landmarks

Charlie Chaplin is famous for his bowler hat and cane but now he has been spotted sporting golden pants for Prostate UK writes Gemma Thornton

Golden Pants are appearing all over London today to mark the launch of Pants in the Park UK, a 5km charity fun run organised by Prostate UK.

Chaplin, Paddington Bear and commuters have been seen sporting golden underwear to raise awareness of prostate disease and encourage as many people as possible to sign up for Pants in the Park. It can be walked, skipped or ran, whatever you prefer as long you as you wear your gold pants on the outside, superman style.

Prostate UK receives no government money and funds both medical research into the disease and the training of healthcare professional, vital in the fight against the disease. Prostate UK is the only national charity dealing with all three prostate diseases: benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostate cancer and prostatitis.

One in two men will suffer from prostate cancer at some point in their life. It is the most common form of cancer in the UK. 1 in 9 men at least, are affected by prostatitis, inflammation of the prostate, from just the age of 18. Over 35,000 men are diagnosed every year and 10,000 of them die; the equivalent of a man every hour.

Well known personalities who have suffered from or continue to suffer from prostate diseases include Nelson Mandela, Robert De Niro, Dirk Benedict, Sean Connery, Frank Zappa, Harry Secombe and Max Clifford.

Ambassador Sir Stirling Moss OBE said: 'I’ve personally experienced the effects suffering from a prostate disease can have on your life and the lives of your family. Prostate UK works to raise awareness of all prostate diseases and prevent prostate disease ruining lives. By taking part in one of the 11 regional Pants in the Park events everyone can help in the fight against prostate disease.”

Registrations for Pants in the Park are open now.

Visit www.pantsinthepark.org for your nearest venue and to sign up