It was William Wilberforce who set the ball rolling in the face of fierce opposition by steering anti-slavery legislation through British Parliament 200 years ago.

If he were still around today, the great emancipator would no doubt be horrified to see how, with millions of men, women and children suffering across the globe on a daily basis, slavery remains alive and well.

But one thing would surely comfort him: it's clear the name Wilberforce will never give up the fight.

Charlotte Wilberforce, William's great-great-great granddaughter, is now carrying the anti-slavery baton and, inspired by her ancestor, is determined to do her bit to help stamp out human captivity once and for all.

Ms Wilberforce, 28, who arrived in Pembroke from the UK earlier this year, hopes her Run For Freedom can propel the anti-slavery message to the forefront in Bermuda.

If all goes according to plan, hundreds of people will quite literally be running for freedom in and around the City of Hamilton on Sunday, March 23, next year, two days before the anniversary of the abolition of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. They will be raising money for an anti-slavery charity and, just as importantly, generating awareness about the need for world leaders to take action to help release more than 12 million people whose lives are wrecked by modern day slavery.

Ms Wilberforce began her own campaign by organising a Run For Freedom in London last March to mark the bicentenary of the Slave Trade Act, which her ancestor fought for all those years ago.

She got involved after meeting representatives from international anti-slavery coalition Stop The Traffik at a preview of Amazing Grace, the movie telling William Wilberforce's inspirational story.

She was sickened at what they had to say. "Something like people trafficking is not something we readily think about," she told The Royal Gazette.

"We know about guns and drugs. They are common factors. But people trafficking? It's a shocking realisation to find out human beings are being either pushed into some kind of forced labour or taken hostage against their will. That's children, women and men. Whether it's sex trafficking or for men in the military, all kinds of things."

Since arriving on the Island to work as an executive assistant for Bermuda Executive Services, she has been on a mission to emulate the London run here. So far, reaction has been positive.

"There's been a lot of interest," she said. "Everyone has got so many ideas and they really want to push them forward. People are suggesting how they can provide entertainment during the day of the run and approaching schools to get more awareness about what we're trying to do. I have met all kinds of people: Imagine 2009; the Philanthropy Society. There's definitely a feeling of unity.

"It's easy for us to stand on a small island and say the rest of the world is still suffering. We have to recognise it, deal with it. There's so many things we can do."

Anyone who assumes their individual efforts cannot make much difference to a worldwide cause should take note of how Ms Wilberforce's campaign has snowballed from the humblest of beginnings earlier this year.

She began by raising $600 by getting people to sponsor her to quit smoking and then collected a similar amount through a dress down day at work.

The support for those efforts from family, friends and colleagues encouraged her to set up the Run For Freedom around London's Square Mile. Forty people took part, raising about $2,400 between them. The event was such a success, boosted by media coverage attracted by the Wilberforce name, and Ms Wilberforce is now planning a bigger and better run, involving hundreds of participants, next year.

Creating something similar in Bermuda was a natural step following her arrival here. But now begins the tough task of convincing as many Islanders as possible that they can make a difference just by joining in and showing they oppose modern day slavery.

"We don't realise the strength of one voice," said Ms Wilberforce. "You can start at the beginning with one person and things get bigger.

"By using a voice, you put pressure on Governments, you put pressure on power to make a change. You don't give up until that happens. One name becomes a hundred, a hundred becomes a thousand. You have got a whole lot of people collectively saying you don't agree with what's happening and we want to help those that are suffering."

While it's going to be tough to stir a huge response so soon after arriving in Bermuda, Ms Wilberforce only has to look to her ancestor to see how it's done. His achievements as a trailblazing politician were drummed into her from an early age.

William Wilberforce campaigned against slavery from 1787 in the face of supporters who argued it was the lifeblood of the British economy. Thanks in no small part to his powerful speeches, his law, abolishing the slave trade but not freeing slaves in Britain's colonies, was finally passed in 1807.

More protests and slave rebellions followed, before an act was passed in 1833, shortly before he died, abolishing slavery in the British Empire.

"He is a huge inspiration," she said. "He was a great man and a very special individual ¿ someone I can be very proud of. In any time of life, you hit hard times, things are a bit difficult, you think back and recognise he was someone who went through so many problems, so many issues, so many walls, and he overcame them. He inspired others and others inspired him.

"It's a very strong legacy to have. Having grown up knowing not only about William Wilberforce but those who worked with him, Thomas Clarkson, Olaudah Equiano, all these great amazing people.

"I was told about him from a very young age. It's all part of when you grow up, looking through photographs. We had his picture up on the wall. When we would talk about family, he was always part of the conversation.

"Thinking about him, I have always felt this drive. I felt like I was just one person - who am I to make a difference? I'm just an everyday English girl. What on earth can I do? But from starting something as small as giving up smoking for charity, it's got the momentum going.

"To get people interested, you tell them all they have to do is type in slavery in the Internet. They do, and so much comes up. It captures people. They are shocked and they want to do something about it.

"Already in six months, it's come from me, one person, to countless people. It's spread across the world. I've had support from friends and family in Australia, Cyprus, South Africa and France. It's very encouraging."

Asked if her surname alone carries an impact, she replied: "For those who know the history of William Wilberforce, it does, definitely. When I say the name, it attracts their attention. I'm proud of my name and if it can be used to open doors and help people make a difference I hope what I'm trying to achieve will do just that."

While it's easy to think of modern day slavery as something which doesn't affect Bermuda, Ms Wilberforce counters: "Bermuda is quite close to Cuba and Jamaica. There's two countries where people trafficking is a problem. It's an issue for somewhere like Bermuda that's contacted and assisted with these countries. It's something to care about, something to think about, it's a connection."

Education will play a vital role in helping consign slavery to the world's past, according to Ms Wilberforce.

"In Bermuda, we would like to think that education will make a huge difference," she said. "It not only helps the community and economy, but develops a stronger person. With education, it's not just about history, it's about here and now and raising awareness and showing that you care about what is happening across the world. That resonates across the world.

"We need to know about the history because from that we learn about the past. It's not just slavery, it's education as a whole."