A monument to slaves who died crossing the Middle Passage could be installed in Bermuda in time for the Grand Slam of Golf.

The move would give millions of people all over the world the chance to see how the Island is coming together to recognise the horrors of slavery past and present, according to organisers.

The 15-foot statue, currently being stored in St. Croix, in the US Virgin Islands, will be shipped to Bermuda in September or October if all goes according to plan.

It is designed to commemorate millions of slaves who died on ships crossing the ocean during the Transatlantic Slave Trade, serving as a permanent reminder of the mistakes of history while highlighting the need to fight against modern day slavery.

Corin Smith, who has been helping lead the project, said he hoped the monument could be erected before the Island takes centre stage in the sporting world with October's Grand Slam at the Mid Ocean Club.

Viewers from more than 100 countries are expected to tune in to watch Tiger Woods and three other top golfers compete at the showpiece event.

Mr. Smith is planning to speak to Mid Ocean Club and PGA officials to see if the monument can be displayed somewhere that can capture the attention of media covering the contest.

"The PGA momentum could be a useful showcase for the project. Bermuda is going to be in the spotlight and we can capitalise on this media frenzy," said Mr. Smith.

"Everything we do is going to be seen by millions of people. So why not do something positive? Put our heritage on display. It gives us a chance to make this a global campaign. This is not a local, parochial campaign. We need it to cross borders."

Plans for a Middle Passage monument in Bermuda have been in the pipeline since an identical statue was lowered to the bottom of the Atlantic in a ceremony which attracted international media coverage eight years ago.

Organisers say this year's celebrations of the bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act, including a memorial service at the Cathedral, have helped paved the way for a lasting tribute to be brought to the Island.

Mr. Smith said he was pleased with the public's reaction since the scheme was highlighted in a Royal Gazette article earlier this month. This newspaper reported how Premier Ewart Brown described the plan as "truly a success for our community".

Responding yesterday, Mr. Smith said: "The feedback has been positive. Now we need to keep the momentum going."

In September, he will be heading to St. Croix with other members of the Emperial Group of Companies, which is organising the project from Bermuda.

He has also been in discussions with international group Homeward Bound Foundation, which is overseeing the initiative from the US and plans to set up similar monuments in a host of other countries affected by slavery.

Mr. Smith is also calling for businesses from across the Island to help raise $20,000 needed to ship the monument over.

"Anything anyone can contribute to help this project would be much appreciated," he said.

The Royal Gazette's Break The Chains campaign is fighting to help free more than 12 million slaves across the world. We are urging readers to sign Anti-Slavery International's on-line Fight For Freedom declaration demanding governments take action to end all forms of modern day slavery, including human trafficking, child labour, bonded labour and forced marriage.

The campaign in Bermuda has been given extra impetus after Charlotte Wilberforce, a descendant of slave emancipator William Wilberforce, began organising a Run For Freedom on the Island to raise awareness and cash in the fight against modern day slavery. It will take place in March to mark the anniversary of the Slave Trade Act.

To sign the petition, go to www.antislavery.org/2007/actionsign and fill in your details. To comment on Break The Chains or Run For Freedom, or to sponsor the shipping of the Middle Passage monument, call 278-8359 or email tsmith@royalgazette.bm