A descendant of slave emancipator William Wilberforce today called for hundreds of people to sign up to a Run For Freedom in Bermuda to raise awareness of the fight against modern day slavery.

Charlotte Wilberforce, a great-great-great granddaughter of the trailblazing British politician, has set up the sponsored event to put pressure on global leaders to end the captivity of more than 12 million men, women and children across the world.

It comes as campaigners press forward with plans to erect a Middle Passage monument in Dockyard as a tribute to millions of slaves who died crossing the Atlantic. Today, as Bermuda celebrates Emancipation Day 173 years after slavery was abolished on the Island, The Royal Gazette relaunches its Break The Chains campaign, which ran in the earlier part of this year to mark the bicentenary of William Wilberforce's Abolition of the Slave Trade Act.

We are urging readers to sign Anti-Slavery International's on-line Fight For Freedom declaration demanding governments across the world take action to end all forms of modern day slavery, including human trafficking, child labour, bonded labour and forced marriage. A copy of the petition, signed by more than 35,000 people across the world so far, will be presented to Government and Government House later this year.

Ms Wilberforce, who arrived in Pembroke from the UK earlier this year, says she has been inspired by her ancestor, who fought against the odds to push anti-slavery legislation through British Parliament two centuries ago.

William Wilberforce's efforts culminated in the 1807 act outlawing the slave trade, which paved the way for another act abolishing slavery itself in 1833. Finally, Bermuda's 4,200 slaves - almost half the population - won immediate freedom on Emancipation Day, August 1, 1834.

Ms Wilberforce, 28, who works for Bermuda Executive Services, has already organised one Run For Freedom, in London, on March 25 this year, the 200th anniversary of the passing of her ancestor's act.

Its success has motivated her to set up a similar event here on March 23, next year, the nearest Sunday to the anniversary.

She hopes hundreds of people will take part in a three or four mile sponsored run or walk in or around the City of Hamilton. Plans are being drawn up for a day of celebrations to take place on the same day.

Funds are expected to go towards international anti-slavery coalition Stop The Traffik, but Ms Wilberforce says the awareness generated by the event will be just as important.

"The Run For Freedom is to raise awareness that modern forms of slavery are the second largest growing criminal activity of our time, after drugs and alongside guns," said Ms Wilberforce.

"We want to raise funds for Stop The Traffik, which concentrates on the prosecution of traffickers and rehabilitation of victims worldwide.

"We want as many runners and walkers as possible to join in the Run For Freedom to show a united stand against slavery around the world."

Both the Run For Freedom and Break The Chains have received support from all corners of the Island.

Signatures on the Fight For Freedom declaration, among many others, include Premier Ewart Brown, Opposition Leader Michael Dunkley, Social Rehabilitation Minister Dale Butler, Bishop of Bermuda Ewen Ratteray and Glenn Fubler of Imagine Bermuda 2009.

The Premier said yesterday: "An unequivocal end to slavery everywhere is the only reasonable way forward. That's why I signed the petition and I hope every citizen does the same."

On the plans for the Middle Passage monument, which it is hoped can be shipped to Bermuda from St. Croix for March next year, Dr. Brown said: "I'm also encouraged by this effort to pay tribute to the victims of the Atlantic Slave Trade with a Middle Passage monument in Bermuda. In my view, such a monument is truly a success for our community if it not only honours but also educates.

"That's the main objective of the Sally Bassett 'Spirit of Freedom' sculpture currently being created by Carlos Dowling.

"I hope it is also the objective of the Middle Passage monument. I think confronting our history and learning from it is an essential part of building a socially conscious society."

Mr. Dunkley said: "The fact that slavery still exists in the world is an outrage. As Bermudians, we cannot sit back when the opportunity arises to take a stand against such a vile practice.

"Mobilising our collective will is essential to the task, and so the United Bermuda Party fully supports The Royal Gazette's continuing campaign to 'Break The Chains'.

"I look forward to participating in next year's Run For Freedom."

Bishop Ratteray said he also planned to take part in the run - although he didn't expect to be running.

"It's a great idea. It will keep the awareness going and that's very important," said the Bishop. "I hope that they will accept walkers because I would like to take part but I'm not sure I'm up to running!"

Mr. Butler, a historian who has studied Bermuda's slavery history, said: "Modern day slavery is one of the most horrendous things that exists and the United Nations need to be more proactive and forceful in eradicating it."

Mr. Fubler, co-chairman of Imagine 2009, a community initiative aiming to lay the foundations for the 400th anniversary of the settlement of Bermuda, said: "Modern day slavery shows we still have some way to go in human interaction.

"We all have a responsibility to do what we can to show we oppose it."