Light the Way and Walk 5k
Light the Way and Walk 5k in November! Craft your very own lantern and take on your 5k walk in a place and time that suits you. We're excited to welcome you to our brand new event.
About the event
Looking for something fun to do with your friends and family this November? Light the Way and Walk 5k in November is brand new for 2026!
Craft, walk and raise money any time and any day in November to light the way for the autistic community.
Date and time?
01 November 2026
Anytime during November
How much?
Registration £5 & fundraising target £100, Lantern kits: £5
How far?
5km
How to get involved
Order one of our lantern kits or craft your very own at home!
Take your lantern on a local 5k walk with family and friends
Raise money to help light the way for a better future for autistic people
What you'll get for signing up:
- A free National Autistic Society branded beanie to wear on your 5k. (Registered participants over 6 only)
- An exclusive glow in the dark pin badge and fundraising certificate to celebrate completing the walk if you raise £150 and over.
- You’ll be sent a fundraising pack that will include event details, FAQs and some helpful fundraising tips.
- Choose to purchase one of our lantern packs or create your very own unique lantern at home. Want to try junk modelling? Make sure to join our Facebook group for loads of DIY tips. Join the community here.
- Lanterns should only be lit with LED tealights, which you can purchase from us. No fire or candles should be used.
Light the Way, Your Way
Craft your lantern, choose your route and complete your 5k at a time that suits you. Join supporters and help create a brighter future for autistic people and their families.
Prefer to join us in person?
If you'd prefer to take part alongside other supporters, join us at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for our in-person Light the Way event this November.

What to expect and key information
Craft your lantern either with one of our handy lantern kits or create your own from scratch and take on your own 5k route safely in your local park or area on any day in November, lighting the way for the autistic community.
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.
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Registration and sponsorshipI agree to pay a non-refundable registration fee of £5 per adult participant to the National Autistic Society. I understand that there is a minimum fundraising target of £100 per 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. Only funds over the £100 minimum fundraising target can be restricted to a particular programme, service or branch of the National Autistic Society. I agree to represent and raise money exclusively for the National Autistic Society at this event.Health and safety
I understand and accept that I take part in the event at my own risk and agree that, as far as I am aware, I am suitably fit and physically able to take part in the event. If I at any stage have any doubt about my health or have a medical condition that could be affected by exercise, I will obtain my doctor’s approval before participating in the event.
I understand that I am solely responsible for acting on the doctor’s advice and the National Autistic Society shall not be held responsible for any injury or illness that may be caused as a result of the event, irrespective of whether or not I have taken my doctor’s advice regarding participating.
I understand that there is no age limit to take part in the event, but I note the National Autistic Society’s recommendation that if I am under 18 years of age, that I should only take part in the event with a parent or guardian present.
I understand and accept that I, and each other participant, is responsible for their own actions whilst participating in the event, and that The National Autistic Society accepts no responsibility for my actions or the actions of any other participant, nor for the consequences
of such actions, and that this includes any participation in any additional or third-party activity before, during or after the event.I understand that whilst I may bring my own battery operated torch or use my mobile phone to light my way, I may use a lantern supplied by the NAS, for which a LED tealight may be purchased during registration. I understand that under no circumstances is a wax candle or other real flame to be used in a lantern or otherwise to light my way during the walk.
I also understand that all lanterns or other form of light brought by me to the walk, must be taken home with me.
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. I understand and accept that if I wish to withdraw from the event, I must inform my sponsors and the National Autistic Society in writing as soon as possible and I agree that all sponsorship forms and money collected in respect of my intended participating in the event will be sent directly to the National Autistic Society. 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 being informed of the cancellation.I agree that by signing up to this event I am representing the National Autistic Society and abide by the charity's values. The National Autistic Society reserves the right to reject my participation if it is believed that I am poorly representing the charity's values, that I am being fraudulent or are not committing to raising the funds to which I have committed. I agree that the National Autistic Society will not be liable in any way for costs associated with the event that may be lost due to my rejection as an intended or actual participator in the event.
I understand and accept that if the National Autistic Society is forced to cancel the event or change the date for any reason, they will inform me as soon as possible and that if the National Autistic Society has had to cancel the event, I can claim a refund of my registration fee provided I notify the National Autistic Society in writing within 15 days of the date of the notification of cancellation. If the event start time or other details are altered, the National Autistic Society will inform me in writing (including by email) and update the Society's website. I understand and accept that there will be no refund in such circumstances and that all registration fees that are not refunded will be treated as a donation to the National Autistic Society.
Facebook Group
The Facebook group is moderated between 9am to 9pm Monday to Sunday. If you have questions, please ask within the group or you may email or call our Supporter Care team on 0808 800 1050 Monday to Friday 10am to 3pm. Please be aware that responses may take
longer outside of the hours listed above. Please note that, due to costs, we cannot post merchandise internationally.Fundraising
Before embarking on any fundraising activity, we advise all supporters to read our Keep your fundraising safe, legal and fun advice. For further support, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
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
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What if I can’t do 5k?
That is completely fine. Light the Way and Walk 5k in November is all about lighting the way for the autistic community. We’re grateful for you signing up to the challenge and raising vital funds, you can adapt the distance to suit you best.
What happens if I can’t reach the minimum 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.
How do I join the Facebook group?
You can join the Facebook group here.
How old do I have to be?All ages are welcome, but children must always be accompanied by an adult.
Can we fundraise as a team?
Of course you can, just get in touch to let us know who’s in the team .
What should I light up my lantern with?
Please use an LED tealight when lighting up your lantern, you can purchase an LED tealight when you sign up for the event for the small fee of £1. Under no circumstances must fire be used!
What should I do with my lantern after the event?
We'd love for you to take your lanterns home as a memento of taking part of Light the Way. The purchased lantern kits can be recycled at home.
Where can I find the lantern instructions?
You can download the steps for building your National Autistic Society lantern here.
Walk together, wherever you are
Raise funds, spread awareness and support autistic people and their families through your own 5k challenge.