Light the Way
Join us at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London this November for our brand-new lantern walk event! Craft your very own lantern, take on a 5k walk with us and raise money to support autistic people and their families.
About the event
Looking for something fun to do with your friends and family this November? Light the Way is brand new for 2026! We can’t wait to welcome you to craft, walk and raise money to light the way for the autistic community. We’re here to support every step of the way.
Sign up for Light the Way
Fundraising target: £100
Crafting on the day: Want to create your lantern with us? Join us for a fun-filled crafting session before the walk!
During the session, you can create your own dream lantern alongside other supporters. Our team of volunteers will be there to help you with your craft and answer any questions. When you book a crafting slot, you will receive a lantern pack and other crafting materials when you arrive on the day.
Additional fees apply.
Where?
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London
Date and time?
14 November 2026
5pm (with registration from 4:15pm)
How much?
Adult: £15, Child: £7.50 (Under 6’s go free but still need to register) Lantern kits: £5, Crafting session: £10
How far?
5km
What you'll get for signing up:
- A free National Autistic Society branded beanie on the event day. (Registered participants over 6 only)
- An exclusive glow in the dark pin badge and fundraising certificate to celebrate completing the walk.
- You’ll be sent a fundraising pack that will include event details, FAQs and some helpful fundraising tips.
- Raise over £200 before 14 November and you'll receive your very own exclusive National Autistic Society coffee cup.
- We want your creativity to lead the way. Purchase a lantern pack ahead of the event or create your own at home - for tips please join our Facebook group after you register. Alternatively, join us before the walk and create your lantern on the day*. Please note tickets for this part of the event are an additional £10 and must be booked in advance.
- We recommend using LED tealights only to keep things safe. You can purchase one through us or if you have one already, we’d love for you to use that.
Help Light the Way
Carry your lantern through Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and join a powerful community coming together to support autistic people and their families.

-
Craft your lantern and light the way for autistic people by taking on a 5k sponsored walk around the beautiful Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
We want your creativity to lead the way. You can purchase a lantern pack ahead of the event, create your own at home or join us for a crafting session at the event (extra fee applies).
There will be an event village and food available. Several talented autistic creators will also be joining us on the night to sell their creations.
LED tealights only should be used to keep things safe. You can purchase one through us or if you have one already, we’d love for you to use that.
-
- A designated quiet area will be available for anyone who needs it during the event.
- The walking route is wheelchair and pushchair friendly.
- Disabled toilets are available in the event village.
- The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park hosts many events; we’d like participants to be aware that there may be additional crowds. Public transport in London may be busier due to the event taking place on a Saturday.
Our team are on hand to support with anything that can make the day more accessible for you. For more information or to ask any questions you may have, email fundraising@nas.org.uk or call our Supporter Care team on 0808 800 1050.
All supporters must agree to the terms and conditions of this event to take part.
-
What support will there be on the day?
The route will be managed by our professional event providers and will be signposted throughout. We will also always have medics on site during the event. A team of staff and volunteers from our charity will also be around to help.
How many walkers are taking part?
This is a brand new event, and you can expect around 750 other walkers on the day.
When will we start?
To keep the event start as calm as possible supporters can set off at any time between 5pm and 5:30pm, after listening to a brief safety briefing.
What happens if I can't reach the fundraising target?
Our team are on hand to help with any fundraising questions you may have, all we can ask is that you try your very best to reach the suggested target to support autistic people and their families.
Can I wear headphones for the walk?
Yes, we understand that some people may need to wear headphones for this event for sensory reasons. Bone conducting headphones are our preference but if you do not have these, please just ensure you are taking note of your surroundings.
How do I join the Facebook group?
You can join the Facebook group here.
What route is the walk?Enjoy a fully accessible, flat and paved route through the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, completing a 1.25K loop four times for a total 5K walk. There will not be toilets on the route but there will be toilets available at the start and finish.
Please note there will be coloured lights on the route.
How old do you have to be?
All ages are welcome, but children must be always accompanied by an adult.
Can I run?
We ask that supporters do not run as this a community event and isn’t meant to be a competitive race. If you would like to get involved in a run, just check out what fundraising runs you can take part in here.
Can we fundraise as a team?
Of course you can, just get in touch to let us know who’s in the team.
How do I get there?Tube station
The nearest tube stop is Stratford, which is about a 20 minute walk from the event.
Bus stops
The 388 and 241 both stop near the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and is a 5 minute walk from the event village.
Train station
The nearest train station is Stratford internal, which is around a 10 minute walk from the event
By Car
There are numerous pay to park car parks in the local area. The closest is the Stratford Westfield, which is a 9 minute walk.
We advise all supporters to check for train strikes or other train issues close to event day.
They can check this by clicking on this link: https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/status-and-disruptions/
Can I bring a dog with me?
Yes, well behaved dogs are welcome to join Light the Way. However, they must always remain on the lead and must be cleaned up after.
What should I light up my lantern with?
Please use a LED tealight when lighting up your lantern, you can purchase a tealight when you sign up for the event for a small fee. Under no circumstances must fire be used with our lantern kits or any home-made lanterns.
Where can I find the lantern instructions?
You can download the steps for building your National Autistic Society lantern here.
-
Registration and sponsorship
I agree to pay a non-refundable registration fee of £15 (per participating adult), £7.50 (per participating child over 6 years old) to the National Autistic Society to secure my place/s at Light The Way Walk (the “event”). Children under 6 are free of charge, but a registered place is required in order to take part. I understand and accept that I am asked to commit to a fundraising target of £100 per adult or £100 per fee paying participant. A percentage of this income will cover the costs associated with my participation in this event and all additional funds raised will go directly towards the work of the National Autistic Society, and cannot be restricted to any particular programme, service or branch of the National Autistic Society. I understand and accept that I must be at least 18 years old on the date of the event to enter or, if under 18 (termed a “child” in these terms and conditions), I must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult. I agree to represent and raise money exclusively for the National Autistic Society at this event.
Health and safety
I understand and accept that all participants take part in the event at their own risk and agree that, as far as I am aware, I and any child that I am accompanying are suitably fit and physically able to take part in the event. I understand that if I have any doubt about my health or that of a child, or I, or a child has a medical condition that could be affected by exercise, I must obtain my or their doctor’s approval before participation in the event. I understand that I am solely responsible for acting on the doctor’s advice regarding either myself or any relevant child and that the National Autistic Society & Gladiator Events Limited will not be held responsible for any injury or illness that may be caused as a result of the event. I understand and accept that each participant is responsible for their own actions whilst attending and/or participating in the event and that the National Autistic Society accepts no responsibility for my or a relevant child’s actions nor for the consequences of such actions. This includes any participation in any additional or third-party activity before, during and after the event. I accept that personal belongings are brought and stored at our own risk and that the National Autistic Society accepts no responsibility for any items that are damaged, lost or stolen at the event. I understand and acknowledge that open flames, including but not limited to lit candles and torches are strictly prohibited when taking part in Light the Way. No illegal substance, performance-enhancing substances or intoxicants of any kind are permitted to be brought to any of the National Autistic Society’s events or used by a participant prior to or during the event. The National Autistic Society reserves the right to refuse attendance at or participation in the event to anyone who has consumed and/or has in their possession any illegal substance, performance-enhancing substances or intoxicants of any kind. Neither the National Autistic Society nor Gladiator Events LTD will accept liability for any injury, loss or damage unless it arises from the negligence of the National Autistic Society or Gladiator Events Limited as the case may be. I understand and accept that a maximum of two children to one supervising adult must be adhered to at all times and no attending staff member, volunteer or event organiser can accept liability or responsibility for anyone that goes missing at the event. Gladiator Events Limited do not hold an AALA Licence and therefore you must supervise all minors at all times. I understand that using any form of child carrying devices is entirely at my own risk. I understand that in the interest of the safety, any personal or medical information I provide will be shared with the official event provider (Gladiator Events Ltd) and may also be shared with emergency services if required in the event of an incident or medical emergency.
Images and footage
I consent to the Event Organiser, and any of its third parties involved in the event, having the right and licence to interview and/or photograph and/or film me and any child for whom I am responsible, at the event or before or subsequent to the event as the Event Organiser may reasonably require and to use such interviews, photographs and filming, my and/or our name, likeness and image, voice, video and film portrayals and other means of identification, and any biographical or other information or data related to the me and/or in all current and future media, in any form, anywhere in the world in connection with the production, advertisement, marketing or promotion of the event and any subsequent Light The Way Walks events in the future. If I wish to withdraw my consent, I will contact the Event Organiser prior to the event so that we can make the necessary arrangements at registration to identify you and any relevant child to our professionals and any third parties on the day of the event.
Cancellations and withdrawals
Except in exceptional circumstances as determined by the National Autistic Society, I understand and accept that all registration fees are non-refundable and may not be deferred to a future event. If I wish to withdraw myself and/or any relevant child from the event I will inform the National Autistic Society in writing and all sponsorship forms and money collected will be sent directly to the National Autistic Society, and sponsors notified immediately. I understand and accept that all sponsorship monies will be retained by the National Autistic Society unless sponsors request in writing that the National Autistic Society return it to them within one month of the cancellation. I agree that by signing up to this event I and any relevant child are representing the National Autistic Society and that I or we will abide by the charity's values, and that the National Autistic Society reserves the right to reject at any time any intended or actual participant that is poorly representing the charity's values, who is believed to be fraudulent or is not committing to raising the funds to which I or we committed. I accept that the National Autistic Society will not be liable in any way for costs associated with the event that may be lost in these circumstances. I understand and accept that if the National Autistic Society is forced to cancel the event or change the date for any reason, the National Autistic Society will inform each participant as soon as possible and that if the event is cancelled, I can claim a refund of my registration fee and that of any relevant child, provided I notify the National Autistic Society in writing within 15 days of the notification of the cancellation but if the event start time or other details are altered, no refund shall be granted and all registration fees that are not refunded will be treated as a donation to the National Autistic Society.
Prize draw terms and conditions
Our survey prize draw is organised by The National Autistic Society registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (269425) and in Scotland (SC039427). This draw is eligible to registered participants of the challenge and they will be notified via email and in the Facebook group. Entries received after the stated closing date will not be accepted. Our prize draws and competitions are free to enter and no purchase or registration is necessary Entrants must be over 18 or over. Only one entry per person is permitted. The Society reserves all rights to disqualify you if your conduct is contrary to the spirit or intention of the prize draw or competition. A winner will be chosen by random draw performed by a computer process within one month of the prize draw or competition ending. The winner will receive details of the prize, will be notified by email or telephone (using details provided at entry) within 7 days of being chosen and must provide a postal address, if they haven't done so already, to claim their prize. If a winner does not respond within 7 days of being notified, then the winner’s prize will be forfeited, and the Society will be entitled to select another winner in accordance with the process described above. The prize will be sent to the winner within 14 days of responding to the Society. The prize is non-exchangeable, non-transferable and no cash alternative is offered. The Society reserves the right to replace the prize with an alternative prize of equal or higher value if circumstances beyond the Society's control make it necessary to do so. The decision of the Society regarding any aspect of the prize draw or competition is final and binding and no correspondence will be entered into about it. The Society reserves the right to hold void, cancel, suspend, or amend the promotion where it becomes necessary to do so. The Society is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy and will only use your personal information in accordance with these Terms and Conditions and the Society's Privacy Notice which is available here. All our prize draws will be governed by English law and entrants to the prize draw submit to the jurisdiction of the English courts.
Ready to Light the Way?
By joining Light the Way, you'll be helping to create brighter futures for autistic people and their families by funding essential support, services and information.
Can't attend in London?
If you cannot attend our event in London, we have another option to get involved! You can take part in your own time and place by signing up to Light the Way and Walk 5k this November.