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Florida paddle-boarder goes to great lengths -- 300 miles -- to help veterans contemplating suicide

Orlando Sentinel - 3/4/2019

March 04-- Mar. 4--Joshua Collins could not just stand still.

The Floridian had to do something, so he got moving.

For 300 miles.

To raise awareness of the high rate of veterans committing suicides.

Collins, who dealt with a traumatic brain injury after serving in special ops, paddle-boarded in the Everglades Challenge on Saturday, according to a report by Tampa'sABC affiliate, WFTS.

The race took Collins and others across the state's Gulf Coast, through the Everglades and concluded in Key Largo, WFTS reported.

An average of 20 veterans daily kill themselves, data reported by WFTS showed.

Collins paddled to raise funds for the Black Dagger Military Hunt Club, which he credits with saving him.

Read the full report from WFTS here.

sruiz@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5008

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