The Corporation of Hamilton has given its backing to Bermuda's first Run For Freedom. Mayor Sutherland Madeiros said he hoped the project would help highlight "reprehensible" levels of human captivity which continue to plague the world two centuries after the Transatlantic Slave Trade was abolished.

The event, organised by Charlotte Wilberforce, will feature a three or four mile run around Hamilton on March 23 next year, to raise funds and awareness for Stop The Traffik, an international coalition of anti-slavery charities. It will also mark the anniversary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act, which was passed in 1807 after a tireless campaign by Ms Wilberforce's great-great-great grandfather William Wilberforce. Ms Wilberforce, who moved to Pembroke from England earlier this year, hopes hundreds of people will take part and that the Run For Freedom can become an annual event.

"It has been overwhelming to receive such positive backing, with people even calling to offer assistance and to say they will be taking part in the run," said Ms Wilberforce yesterday.

"I want to say thank you and that Bermuda should be very proud, this unity of purpose will make a difference."

Mr. Madeiros told The Royal Gazette: "We give it our blessing and we hope it's going to be successful. Something of this nature, if it's going to be held in Hamilton and doesn't inconvenience a great deal of people or upset the traffic or anything like that, we would support."

At least 12 million men, women and children in numerous countries across the globe are estimated to be trapped in various forms of modern day slavery such as human trafficking, child labour, bonded labour and forced marriage.

On that statistic, Mr. Madeiros said: "Any form of slavery is reprehensible, whether it be modern day or historical. Slavery, we thought, was abolished years ago. But it is still here across the world. Anything which anybody can do to try to help change things would be most welcome."

Since this newspaper revealed Ms Wilberforce's plans for the Run For Freedom last week, the initiative has won support from groups all over the Island.

To add your name to the more than 35,000 that have signed the online Fight for Freedom declaration, go to the website www.antislavery.org/2007/actionsign and fill in your details. To comment on Break The Chains or the Run For Freedom in Bermuda call 278-8359 or email tsmith@ royalgazette.bm.