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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Condolences to Kano’s family and friends on their heart-breaking loss. The response of the Celtic community to his illness was inspirational.
I never knew Martin but hopefully the genuine love and affection displayed here will be a small comfort to his family and friends at this sad time. RIP.
Rest in peace, Martin.
Thoughts and prayers to your family and friends.
You have left us a wonderful legacy …
FF
RIP Kano.
Thoughts and prayers with his family & friends.
God Bless.
Rest In Peace Martin, your name and the memory of your bravery will be remembered wherever Celtic people gather…
SP
I hope the family take a small crumb of comfort in the legacy and all the great work of the Kano Foundation
Thoughts & prayers with them at this sad time
Rest in Peace Martin Kane. Your legacy will stand the test of time.
Hail Hail and YNWA
RIP Kano
Fois Shiorraidh Thoir Dhaibh A Thighearna
Agus Solus Nach Dior Dearrsadh Air
TBhoy
It’s been a long time since I posted on here but I just saw the news on Twitter.
My thoughts are with Kano’s family just now. May he rest in peace.
With love
Josef K
Sorry to hear of the passing of Martin Kane. Very sad news.
YNWA
RIP Kano.
Very sad news. I starting posting on the blog just before Kano took ill. Remember reading a post by Kitbala giving an update on his condition. It mentioned the hell of the clock in his hospital room. That clock will keep ticking. Not in hell but heaven. RIP Martin.
A very sad day on CQN with Martin Kane’s passing.
It was my one wish for 2015 that a miracle would happen and Kano would get better, it was never going to get happen in this world.
Martin is in a better place now, may God bless and keep him.
Thoughts and prayers to Martin and his family.
YNWA Kano
Vinny
Sad, sad news……heartfelt condolences to the Kano family ……. May God rest his soul…
I never had the pleasure of knowing Martin, but today he takes his place in the history of our Club. My condolences to his family and friends.
Paul67
Great tribute to Martin, he’ll never be forgotten amongst the Celtic family.
V
RIP Kano
Rest in peace Kano xx
Thoughts and prayers with all family and friends
Your legacy will live on in the Kano Foundation
YNWA mo chara
RIP Martin Kane
Thoughts and prayers for your family and friends.
Rest in peace Martin Kane. God bless you and keep you.
Such sad news. Rest In Peace Martin.
The Kano Foundation will ensure that you remain an important part of the Celtic story forever.
God bless your family at this sad time. Say hello to Jinky, Tommy and wee Oscar.
Read about the tragic news of kano early this morning on perth csc page
Really sad news.
Rip martin
YNWA
RIP Martin
YNWA
Very sad news indeed.
I remember fine well the day the news broke about Martins illness and the subsequent Bring Martin Home campaign.
Go ndeanfaidh Dia trócaire air.
The early days of CQN were built on contributions from group of stalwarts.
Kano , Pablophanque , GreenLion2, Noel90, James Forrest, Martin42, Singapore Celt, WGS and a number more including Edward Ursus who in the early days was always made welcome.
Sorry if I missed one no offence intended.
The point is that Kano was at the core if the blog that attracted us to this site where we share all things Celtic.
I am sure that Kano and Pablo are sharing some stories a d debating Celtic’s greatest 11 right now.
Gold Bless abd thank you Martin.
Seville67
Very sad news indeed. RIP Martin Kane.
RIP Kane
Your memory lives on in the foundation.
You epitomised what our great club is all about.
Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May his soul and the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
HH Kano
RIP Kano
Prayers offered up for the family and friends of Martin Kane on a sad day.
Hail Hail,
KevinBhoy.
Sorry to hear this sad news, you were a brave warrior Martin, may perpetual light shine upon you.
Martin Kane, Kano a brave Bhoy and the inspiration for the Kano Foundation.
You’ll Never Walk All be Kano nor the Kane Family.
God Bless your Soul.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Didn’t know Martin, but the outpouring of love on here is very moving,
RIP Kano. You certainly have left an amazing legacy.
Condolences to all Martin’s family and friends.
Martin Kane, may perpetual light shine upon you.
Rest in peace Martin. (thumbsup)
RIP Kano
Very sad news, may you rest in peace Martin, and be free of all your troubles,thoughts and prayers for you, and your family and friends.
Rest In Peace Kano.
May his family and friends find solace in the memories he created.
Devastated to hear the news this morning. The positive thing is that had it not been for Martin, there would be no Kano Foundation and all the many good things that have evolved over the years.
RIP Kano. You have been an inspiration.
Didn’t know Kano but he obviously made a huge impression on those who had the pleasure.
RIP Martin
A sad day for the Martin’s family and the Celtic family. RIP Martin