Chief executive Allan Robson and director of rugby Jim Mallinder have both signed on to take part in the 2010 Virgin London Marathon, along with four other members of the club's management team - Brian Facer, Andrew Kendrick, Ross Stewart and Nicola Cobley. Together they will be raising money for Autism Concern, the Northampton-based charity whose president is former Saints and England winger Jon Sleightholme.

Over the past year the Saints has actively supported Autism Concern, which is currently trying to raise £150,000 to ensure the charity's survival. Last summer Sleightholme was joined by 13 cyclists for the Twin Towns Challenge, a 1000-mile journey across Europe from Northampton to its twin towns of Poitier and Marburg.

This raised £34,000 and helped Autism Concern hit the halfway point of its current appeal.

Mallinder says that it is a worthy cause to support by running the Virgin London Marathon.

"The London Marathon is a massive test, but we're going to be running for a good cause," he said. "Autism Concern is a local charity that does fantastic work and I'm happy to be supporting them in this way."

To help raise money the Saints half dozen has set up a Just Giving page - www.justgiving.com/NRFC. Donations of every size would be gratefully received, and the Saints has made a promise - if £6,000 is donated Bernie will run the marathon too!

"It's fantastic news that the guys have all got together to support us by running the London Marathon," Sleightholme said. "I would like to say a massive thank you to all of them in advance as I can appreciate all the hard work they will go through after running the event myself in 2001. This support will help the charity go from strength to strength, build for the future and continue to offer vital services to autistic children and families across the county."

Over the past 17 years Autism Concern has provided quality specialist holiday activity days for children with autistic spectrum disorders, faces possible closure. These activity days provide an opportunity for children on the autistic spectrum to have a fun day in a safe and secure environment with fully trained staff and are often the only opportunity to participate in play activities to help their interaction and social skills.

Former presidents include British and Irish Lions head coach Ian McGeechan and Saints' Heineken Cup winning captain - now coach of New Zealand Super 14 franchise The Blues - Pat Lam.

For more information about Autism Concern visit www.autismconcern.org