It is enormously sad news that our friend Kano, Martin Kane, succumbed to his illness this morning. Kano was an ever-present on CQN for four years, on occasion writing our match reports, until illness struck in 2008. He was left completely paralysed, eventually only able to communicate through a machine, requiring round the clock care.
He was isolated in hospital in his home city of Perth, Western Australia, lonely for him and difficult for his wife Carolyn and their family, with no realistic chance of recovery. On hearing this news, CQN reacted in an incredible way. Our also now-departed friend, Pablophanque, wrote, “We need to get this guy home”, and a campaign started to raise the tens of thousands of pounds required to transform part of his home into an appropriate care facility.
As the campaign got underway I remember being concerned, it was going to take at least £60k and I thought we had no chance of getting close to this. Pablo (memorably) didn’t want to head the campaign he started but others soon stepped in and the Bring Martin Home got underway in earnest. Those behind it moved heaven and earth, and within a few months, the money was in place and Kano was back living at home with his family.
The Kano Foundation, a remarkable self-funded organisation which takes kids groups and charities to Celtic games, was established by those running the Bring Martin Home campaign, to harness the expertise and goodwill for on-going good, in Martin’s name.
When I first met Kano’s dad, Matt, who himself is no longer with us, six years ago, I was caught off-guard when he talked about Kano’s life expectancy. Unable to move he was enormously vulnerable to any prosaic infection. He suffered a few health scares but fought through them for far longer than many anticipated.
We got him back on the blog briefly, sharing some of his gratitude for the work done and his humour, but he explained the hours it took to compose his few sentences. He continued to watch Celtic, of course.
This morning our thoughts go to Carolyn and the kids, as well as to his good pal Ramie and those who cared for Martin. Those who decided to get off their arses and change the world for one family back in 2008 should be very proud of what they did, and the years at home they gave Kano.
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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B65ityLCAAAiXsd.jpg:large
Cartuja’s tribute to Kano
HH
CQN in a very sad time has been an absolute pleasure to read today
Take care n god bless
Long time lurker as well..reading through the posts today ..what a remarkable man Martin must have been..my thoughts and prayers will be for his wife and children tonight..
HH
CelticDaft, it will be remedied in the future, no doubt about that:-)
Keep posting, it gets addictive.
CQN, today has been a thing of beauty.
Sadness, full of grief, but a beautiful outpouring of love for a man few of us have met.
But one that had touched the lives of so many.
And through the Kano Foundation will continue to for years to come, just a beautiful legacy.
May heaven keep the men who sleep
From the ranks of the old brigade
For the CQN Old Brigade
T4
RIP Martin
EDB
Well said Paul. RIP.
Sorry to hear of the death of Martin Kane (Kano). May the Lord grant him eternal peace.
RIP Martin Kane
Celticrollercoaster supporting Shay,our bhoy wonder along the way
18:54 on 9 January, 2015
_____________________
Respect Sir, absolute Respect.
Ye know, I’d like to have a talk with ye about some stuff but, hey…good stuff.
Now is not the time – I’m sure you’ll agree.
I’m sure you’ll agree with me when I say that, today on CQN is a ‘sacred’ day for Martin Kane and his close family and friends and also for his ever-growing, world-wide family on here.
Thanks again, some other time – Hail Hail
Off oot, bye.
Very sad news indeed, I never met you Martin but all the good work that has been done in your name and will continue to be ,is a testament to the kind of person you must have been. Eternal rest. Say hi to wee Oscar.
HH
YNWA
Friday nights here used to be reserved for, firstly the quiz, then music.
As there is no quiz………..
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dqa4qm_iOBM
For absent friends.
RIP KANO
We could have a mini quiz…just for tonight if you want in memory of those CQNers dearly departed?
HH
CRC
CRC, I would be in.
Need to defend my title in your quiz:-)
I had just started to read the blog when the campaign to get Kano home started
and I was blown away by the passion of fellow celts to help one of their own in
a time of desperate need, it is with great sadness that I read of his passing today,
I know that the wonderful people who inhabit this site will never let Martin’s memory
fade and that the work that is done in his name through the Kano foundation will continue
and be a lasting legacy for a man that I never met, but I am sure if I had my life would
have been the richer for having done so.
Rest In Peace Martin
May God Bless And Comfort Those You Held Dearest
Gimme Shelter…..
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WJDnJ0vXUgw
RIP KANO HH YNWA
CQN is a special place, well done bhoys.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hUy9ePyo6Q
Sound of Silence
HH
Just opened up blog for first time in a couple of days, see I am a busy man. BANG! What a fanny I am .
There is no doubt I the world is a sadder place for the loss of a good man, the Celtic family is the stronger for the Kano Foundation though.
I used to post on ETims and heard about this Celtic msn who needed help. I do not want to go into too much detail, suffice to say that the Kano t shirt I wore on that first bucket collection at the Motherwell match has a permanent place in my heart and drawer at home.
I think it was Gordon who posts on here who I met that day, thanks for letting me be part of something special. Evrry Xmas I pop a few quid in the Kano foundation as an alternative to sending Xmas cards to family, I encourage others to do the same.
At that time I was out of work and spent too much time on Celtic blogs, but never regretted learning about a special cause and continue to preach the good word.
I am very busy again now, but will always have time to remember the moments when I became a better person, Kano was the catalyst for me becoming a better person……..do we know many people who are capable of that?
What a legacy.
Incidentally, I do not know him or have never knowingly met any of his family.
RIP
CRC – get the quiz ready….9pm?!
In the meantime, would love to see the Hoops fans do a version of this…..horto magiko
T4
Kano……1 of the earliest posters I
can remember from on here.
A very passionate man as I recall with Celtic stamped on his heart.
Yet another gone too soon.
RIP-Martin Kane.
ok Doc
Round up a few others and I will have something prepared for just after 9pm. Running no more than 1 hour
HH
CRC
TheLurkinTim, this true, CRC’s last ever, last two to be exact, quizzes on here were won by yours truly.
SFTB’s had a night or two off:-)
CRC,
Im in.
Doc, ahem “your” title is mine…..unless that bam Gordon shows up and then its his of course :-)
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
I’ll be there at 9pm, who else is up for the challenge, take my title:-)
‘Mon then.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MagG8J–BBI
The Silencers
Wild Mountain Thyme
HH
T3, good luck wi’ that.
Hope SFTB’s has another night off.
Sorry to hear of the sad passing of Kano. RIP
Started reading CQN after his illness so never got to engage with or read his thoughts. It is truly uplifting to read of the financial and emotional support provided to his family by some on this site.
Kano, Pablo and others are often warmly referred to on CQN. This amongst other things (music, funny links, interesting football and historical info) is one of the reasons some of us come on the site. I am sure like many others have been disappointed by some of the nonsense that has been posted recently. Let’s hope some temper their negativity, own agendas and personal slights against others and the club and the site gets back to what it once was.
CRC , a wee toast to Martin at 9 and then a reprise of one of your quizes followed by some toons and then maybe a wee barney would be ,i think , a nice tribute to Martin , Pablo , St John Doyle and other departed souls .
Maybe i can finish last , just like old times. Ps drop me a note about next week please.
Sanna
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJt4y4fH938
I’m a Mhan you don’t meet everyday
The Pogues
HH
Bring on the Dancing Horses……..
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=V_bJf3foa5I
http://youtu.be/_C89FBegRFo
L.J Johnson
your magic put a spell on me
Doc,
im sure SFTB will make an appearance.
We can take the auld bassa ;-)
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
Celticlover mickie Bhoy and I’m sure some I have forgotten also Sannabhoy
Count me in crc
TheLurkinTim, you cast aspersions………..
See you at 9?
:-)
T3, only if we cheat, Ooops, The LurkinTim, ignore that post.
Sad news, RIP Kano.