Back on bike in brotherly love

JOE Johnstone rode the 280km from Devonport to Hobart last month to raise money for HeartKids — and is jumping on his bike again to raise money for his family and others in need.

The 15-year-old Latrobe High School student will pedal 151km as part of the Battlescars Tour the Tarkine charity ride on May 19.

The Johnstones are among three families who will split the money raised, after Joe’s youngest brother Kane, 14 months, was born with pulmonary hypertension and mitral regurgitation.

Kane wasn’t expected to live more than a month after being placed on life support when just two weeks old after going into cardiac arrest. But so far he has defied the odds.

“I’ll be thinking of him the whole time,” Joe said.

“Given what he’s been through, I like being able to help him when he needs it. As his older brother, I want to keep him safe.”

The e boys’ mum, Toni, said the he money would d go towards paying g Kane’s medical bills and buying a reliable family car.

The ride along the state’s far North-West Coast costs participants $200.

There will also be a dinner and charity auction at Tall Timbers Resort in Smithton following the tour.

In early March, Joe raised

more than $4700 for HeartKids HeartKids, which supports children, teens and adults affected by congenital and childhood heart disease.

The ride from Devonport to Hobart took him three days to complete.

To donate visit: www. battlescars foundationtas. com