CYCLISTS are aiming to ‘write’ End Modern Slavery using a GPS tracking app.

When Dave Knight of Royal Wootton Bassett heard his friend Gordon Miller had a goal to break a Guinness World Record by making the largest GPS drawing on a bike he decided to help out.

He will be joined by Hywel Thomas and the pair will be making the letter ‘a’, starting at Bassett before taking in Swindon, Fairford and Shrivenham.

Ride for Freedom 2020 began on September 16 and will finish in central London on October 2.

It aims to help raise awareness of modern day slavery.

Dave and Hywel can be spotted getting on their bikes on September 29 and will tackle a 100km route.

“It’s something people think lives in the past but it doesn’t it exist in the present," said Dave.

"It has been estimated that there are at least 100,000 slaves in the UK and a lot of it isn’t reported.

“It’s something we need to be more aware of and understand the signs.

“Workplaces should be training their staff about recognising the risks and if someone is a victim. The most common issues for why modern slavery exists is cannabis supply, prostitution and domestic servitude.

“There’s lots of places it’s common to happen such as car washes, nail bars and factories. It’s something I hope people will take more note of and spot the signs so it can be reported and people can be kept safe.”

Gordon, from Manchester, said: “I’m free to cycle but millions of people aren’t.

"They’re trapped in modern day slavery. It’s an under-reported crime that affects many thousands in the UK and millions worldwide that needs a light shining on it.”

They have been supported by bike manufacturer Orbea and kit supplier KitBrix, and sponsored by companies including Ardea International, Fresca Group, Libryo, Lowery, Marshalls Plc, Smarter Technologies, SOAS and Sustain Worldwide.

“I’m delighted to be associated with these purpose-driven companies,” Gordon said.

“Their support has enabled the ride to go ahead by underwriting the administrative, logistical and marketing costs to raise awareness to end modern slavery.”

Last October, Gordon cycled almost 600 miles in 10 days to raise funds for two charities, Hope for Justice and Unseen, who support survivors of modern slavery.

Victims of modern slavery can appear to be under the control of someone else, they don’t have personal identification, they will have few personal belongings, they will be reluctant to talk to other people and authorities.

Visit www.antislavery.org/slavery-today/modern-slavery/