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Firefighter raising suicide awareness passing through Central Coast

Posted at 10:29 AM, Jan 24, 2020
and last updated 2020-01-24 21:57:17-05

(UPDATE 5:05 p.m.) - Firefighter, John Preston arrived in the City of San Luis Obispo. He was greeted by SLO City firefighters who escorted him to CAL FIRE in Avila Beach.
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A Palo Alto firefighter and USMC veteran is raising awareness about first responder and veteran suicide.

John Preston is hiking 22 miles a day from the Bay Area to San Diego. His journey began on Jan. 13. It'll wrap up on Feb. 9.

Preston is currently on the Central Coast.

Tuesday, he arrived in San Miguel and made his way through Templeton and Morro Bay.

Friday, he'll be in San Luis Obispo where he's set to stop at SLO City Fire Station 4 at Los Osos Valley and Madonna Roads in between 2 and 4 p.m. Firefighters will escort him from SLO to CAL FIRE in Avila Beach.

Over the weekend, his trek will go through Guadalupe, Vandenberg AFB, Buellton, Santa Barbara and Montecito.

Preston says he's on this journey after losing his brother to suicide. He was a marine veteran and police officer of 20 years who was battling PTSD.

Preston is carrying 22 kilos on his back for 28 days. He hikes roughly 7 hours a day.

By the time he reaches the USS Midway in San Diego, he will have hiked 625 miles. His journey will be turned into documentary, "22 and You."

Every day 22 veterans commit suicide.

For more information on how you can donate to his cause click here.

You can follow his journey on Instagram: @22andyoudoc and Facebook: facebook.com/22andyoudoc