MORE than fifty campaigners lead a walk to Winchester Cathedral in a bid to increase awareness of human trafficking.

Organised by a group of students from Winchester University the Walk for Freedom saw campaigners walk in single file to emulate slaves who , in the nineteenth century were chained and walked marched onto ships in Africa to be sold in the Americas.

The sombre parade was part of an international campaign by charity A21 whose goal is to abolish injustice, in particular human trafficking, through prevention, prosecution, protection and partnerships with government and other agencies

The students wore a yellow band across their mouths with one of three names - Amy, Ivan or Eve - to represent three people who were trafficked and rescued by A21. They were gagged representing the fact that trafficked slaves are voiceless yet in the midst of our societies.

There was a short gathering on the Cathedral Grounds where the stories of the rescues of the three former slaves on the yellow bands were read before the yellow bands were lifted above the walkers’ heads to represent their rescue.

Organiser Alice McGahon said: "The issue of modern slavery is one that many people don't know enough about. I wanted to host a Walk for Freedom in Winchester because I feel this is a great city to help raise awareness for the victims and survivors of human trafficking."

The event was followed by a moment of prayer and reflection in the Lady Chapel of the Cathedral led by Canon Mark Collinson, who said: “Jesus faced injustice and calls all Christians to fight the injustices of today. Just as William Wilberforce fought against slave trading in the nineteenth century so we need to keep fighting to defeat human trafficking and modern slavery.”