The hard work starts here for Bermuda's Run For Freedom team after the anti-slavery event was granted charity status by Government.

People are now being urged to sign up for the Front Street run which takes place on March 30 next year to mark the anniversary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act.

It comes as a petition calling on Governments around the world to work towards ending all forms of slavery has gone through the 50,000 mark.

The Royal Gazette was urging people to sign the petition as part of its Break the Chains campaign which has run throughout the year.

Funds raised from the Run for Freedom will go toward international anti-slavery coalition Stop The Traffik — but organisers say the drive to raise awareness of the plight of millions of modern day slaves is just as important.

And on an island which has been torn apart by divisive rhetoric in a bitter election campaign, it represents a chance for people to cast aside their differences to fight for a common cause.

Organiser Charlotte Wilberforce — the great-great-great granddaughter of UK slave emancipator William Wilberforce — said: "We all need to show unity and solidarity against modern atrocities and show empathy toward those that are suffering that most of us thought died 200 years ago.

"So many people just don't think about what is still going on all over the world. We need to show that we care.

"Now that we have got charity status we can really step up our campaign to get people to sign up to Run For Freedom. We will be able to get sponsorship and show people where the funds they donate will be going."

The run will begin in Front Street and end with a party in Barr's Bay Park, with organisers hoping to host a concert and show movies of slavery old and new.

It is just one mile long and walking is allowed as well as running, so there is little excuse not to take part.

So far, more than 70 people have signed up to a Facebook team for the Run For Freedom in Bermuda, as well as a simultaneous event in London.

MTV has already announced plans to broadcast the run, which would ensure huge international coverage.

A fitness expert has been lined up to help runners get into shape after Christmas, while a book club could be set up to give people the chance to discuss Bermuda's history.

A competition is also planned to design a Run For Freedom. To sign up to the run, e-mail runforfreedom[AT]yahoo.com.

The petition has been organised by Anti-Slavery International and calls for action to end modern day slavery has passed the 50,000 mark.

The organisation wants world leaders to end all forms of human captivity, including human trafficking, child labour, bonded labour and forced marriage.

The number of signatures on the worldwide list was yesterday at 52,195 — but campaigners stress it remains vital for as many people as possible to add their names.

All you have to do to sign it is log onto the Internet and follow a few simple instructions on your computer screen.

In the next few weeks, this newspaper will be submitting a final copy of the declaration to Government and Government House, to coincide with UK campaigners' presentation to their Parliament.

It urges action on: increasing understanding of the Transatlantic Slave Trade; addressing its lasting legacies; and making the eradication of contemporary slavery in all its forms a priority.

Campaign leaders say everyone's efforts so far have already made a difference.

In recent months, the British Government has published proposals to make teaching the Transatlantic Slave Trade in schools compulsory, while discussions have been ongoing regarding an annual national slavery commemorative day.

Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair pledged that Government efforts would be stepped up this year to "tackle inequality for people of African and Caribbean heritage in the UK; the challenges facing the African continent; and the cruelty of modern day slavery".

In Bermuda, hundreds of people attended a Cathedral service to mark the 200th anniversary of the Slave Trade Act in March, at which they remembered the history of slavery on the Island and acknowledged the plight of slaves today.

Impetus is to be continued with Charlotte Wilberforce's proposed Run For Freedom, and a project to install a monument paying tribute to millions of victims who died while crossing the Atlantic in slave ships.

To sign the petition, log on to www.antislavery.org/2007 and add your details.