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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RIP Kano/Martin
Thoughts and prayers with his family. YNWA
Sad, awful news for the Kane family and those of the CQN family who did so much for him.
HH.
RIP Kano
YNWA
Rest in Peace Martin.
Very sad news – R.I.P. Kano.
Thoughts and prayers with your family and friends.
Rest in peace Martin Kane and may perpetual light shine upon you.May the good Lord help his family during this very difficult time.
Rip Martin Kane
Thoughts & Prayers to his remaining family.
It is a time of sadness for all here
Kano’s spirit will live on in the truly inspirational foundation and the work done there.
HH
RIP Martin, one of the original CQN posters, the trust founded in your name does exceptional things
RIP Martin Kano Kane My thoughts & Prayers are with you and your family Hail Hail
The saddest of news. Kano was an inspiration
Rest in Peace Martin
Thoughts go out to the family.
Hail Hail Martin Kane
Kano RIP
Paul.
Beautifully written.
RIP Martin.
YNWA.
RIP Kano
HH
Very Sad news but another inspirational Celtic story – Kano is part of the Club’s history.. Decent legacy. RIP…
Desperately sad news.Deepest condolences to Martin’s family,friends,and all his CQN brothers and sisters.Martin Kane’s name will always live on.
Rest in Paradise.
Absolutely gutted at the news of Martins passing. Gutted.
YNWA Martin, Rest In Peace.
A very Sad day, RIP Martin and thoughts go out to the family.
Very Sad.
Martin Kane – Rest in Peace.
RIP Martin
Terrible news and so sad. RIP
Really sad news. Rest in peace Martin
Rest in peace. http://t.co/kd6pz20gPD
From Cartuja on KDS
HH
What an amazing place this is.Beautifully written Paul.
Did not know Kano.RIP.
I am so sorry to hear that Martin has passed away. I remember some excellent debates with him.
My thoughts to his family.
Rest in peace Martin.
Rest in Peace Kano .
Thoughts and prayers with his family and friends.
YNWA
Terrible news RIP Martin
So far three thousand children have been given the opportunity to walk up Kerrydale Street, now The Celtic Way, to stand on the slopes of Parkhead and to watch the Celtic play.
Please God in the future with the wonderful work that the Kano Foundation do, many, many thousands more will be afforded the same privilege.
What a legacy you’ve left behind son. Think about it, the true spirit of Celtic carries on in your name. I’m sure we’d all want that.
God Bless you Martin and may perpetual light shine upon you.
My thoughts and prayers to Carolyn and the family.
Ramie, stay strong my friend and remember that like your mate, you’ll never walk alone.
RIP Martin
A tragedy that unfolded before us, I found it very difficult to watch the Australian documentary piece and am not too proud to say I shed a tear. “Rest in Peace” can rarely be a more appropriate wish.
The Kano Foundation exemplifies something extraordinary about the Celtic support. An irresistible force for good. I hope the legacy brings his family some comfort.
I think it is also appropriate to respectfully celebrate and pay tribute the the current Trustees and to guys like celticrollercoaster, mwd, mouldy and all the team who insatiably pursued and brought order to a campaign that allowed such an enduring legacy.
Kano’s plight was the catalyst and the Kano Foundation unquestionably has indelible roots in CQN, this is where it was born and for that you can all be rightly proud.
Slan Abhaile, Martin
Rest in peace Martin …
Incredibly proud of the legacy that you have left in your memory pal.
So very sad. I’m glad he was able to spend so much of his time at home. My thoughts are with his family foremost but also with CQNers – Kano galvanised into doing good as a collective
RIP Kano
RIP Kano. Sad news. Thoughts go out to those closest to him.
His legacy will live on and I hope that is a source of comfort in time to his family.
HH
Roccobhoy
Rest in Peace Kano.
I never knew Martin but his story was a real triumph that there is still genuine kindness and generosity in the world.
Thoughts and prayers with his family.
YNWA
Very sad news indeed.
Thoughts with family and friends.
Rest in peace.
RIP Martin, thoughts and prayers with his family.
Reflecting Turkeybhoy’s post – my thoughts and condolences are with family and friends.