A US town councillor is flying to Bermuda to give his support for the Island's first Run For Freedom.

Christopher Bodkin, from the Town of Islip in Long Island, had made arrangements to take part in the run, only for the date to change after organisers discovered it clashed with Easter Sunday celebrations.

He is unavailable on the new date — March 30 — but will fly over a few days earlier when he hopes to meet organiser Charlotte Wilberforce and her team.

Mr. Bodkin, who has studied the history of slavery, found out about the run on The Royal Gazette's website. It grabbed his attention because he has been inspired by the efforts of UK slave emancipator William Wilberforce, Charlotte's great-great-great grandfather.

Mr. Wilberforce helped fight for the end of slavery in the beginning of the 19th Century, supported by campaigners including Bermudian slave Mary Prince and Olaudah Equiano, a crew member of a Bermudian sloop.

Their work helped bring the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act in 1807, followed by the abolition of slavery 26 years later and Emancipation Day in Bermuda in 1834, when the Island's 4,200 slaves won immediate freedom.

The Run For Freedom, which marks the anniversary of the 1807 act, aims to raise awareness of the plight of millions of modern day slaves around the world.

Mr. Bodkin, a Democratic Councilman, told this newspaper: "It's just a wonderful cause. The whole story of Wilberforce is so compelling. The whole story of slavery is mind-blowing.

"The way it's put in schools in the US is: 'Yes, there was slavery.' But there's so much to it. Much of the wealth in the States came from slavery, as it did in Britain. I am so disappointed I won't be able to take part in the run in Bermuda but I would love to meet up with the organisers anyway."

Mr. Bodkin has ties in Bermuda — his uncle used to own Salt Kettle House in Paget — and has researched the history of slavery on the Island where, although there were no plantations, slaves were put to work in homes, on ships and on the land.

Run For Freedom takes place in Front Street and will be about a mile long before ending with a party in Barr's Bay Park.

Money raised will go toward Stop The Traffik, which helps at least 12 million men, women and children in numerous countries across the globe who are trapped in various forms of modern day slavery such as human trafficking, child labour, bonded labour and forced marriage.

A competition is currently underway to create the picture or model which can be used on posters and in the media promoting the event in Bermuda as well as a simultaneous run in London, also being organised by Ms Wilberforce.

A panel of judges will run the rule over entries from three different age groups. The winners' prize will be the prestige of having their images on display in public places and in newspapers in the UK and Bermuda.

Schools in Bermuda are invited to encourage children to take part, while adults are also able to enter different age categories.

The competition runs until February 29. Age categories are 12 to 18; 18 to 30; and 30 plus. Entries should be sent to Run For Freedom, PO Box FL 382, Flatts, FLBX.

To sign up for the run or for further information, e-mail runforfreedom@yahoo.com. Check out the run's Facebook group for regular updates or call 278-8359.