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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requiescat in pace Martin. Thoughts and prayers with family and friends who will miss you enormously
Rest in Peace Martin Kane – CQN Legend
Knew Martins family when they stayed in Springburn.A lovely family.Went to school with his brother Paul.RIP God Bless
RIP Martin Kane
Thoughts and prayers are with your friends and family this very sad morning.
YNWA
RIP Martin
Very sad
Poor old Pablophanque also,what a great guy he was too
Him and Roccobhoy ( still alive but not posting these days) were the first CQN ers that I met,and it was Kano that brought us together .I had read of the efforts on here and arranged to meet the lads to donate an item which they could raffle.
Best wises to his family
Rest In Peace, Martin,
I never knew you but you represented all that is good about the Celtic family.
First race at Dundalk tonight horse called Kano’s Ghirl runs at a big price
You never know, few bob each way and donate your winnings to the Kano Foundation or a charity of your choice.
If I am not mistaken this horse was actually named for Kano (original owner having been from Glasgow)
I may be wrong,perhaps Oldtim or PF Ayr could confirm
WITS , that’s correct . Richie (of this parish) is involved with the horse and has been very generous donating proceeds from her winnings.
Sanna
Very sad news. I remember being at the fundraiser at CP and bid and won a cracking painting of Saint Tommy Burns done in a kind of pop art style, my young son loved the picture and I told him the story of Martin, this picture still hangs in my sons room and every time I look at it, I am reminded of Martin and what the Celtic family do. This picture will always be in my family and Martin will always be in our thoughts.
Good Morning.
I have just come out of a meeting and learned of the death of Martin Kane via twitter and decided immediately to come on here.
I never met Martin although I may have conversed with him via these pages at some point in the past.
However, my main point in posting is to simply share three thoughts that immediately come to mind.
The first is that I hope Martin rests in peace and that his family and loved ones know how highly he and they are regarded by Celtic fans the world over. I understand he lived with his illness with courage and bravery, and that his family made many sacrifices to give him the care and love that was so necessary after such a devastating illness struck.
The second, and perhaps most important, is that when he was fit and well, Martin Kane must have been some man to generate the automatic and immediate response to his illness which led so many Celtic fans and others to mobilise, raise funds, and convert his home to meet his sudden and unwanted medical needs.
To generate that type of reaction shouts out loud and clear that Martin must have been a really special man from whom we can all learn something.
Lastly, Martin may have passed our way in the most fleeting manner, but his memory and legacy live on in the Kano foundation and there will be many who are heavily involved in that remarkable organisation who will have a heavy heart this morning.
However, Martin deserves to be remembered beyond the mere mention of the foundation which bears his name. The very name “Kano” has come to signify everything that is right and good about being a Celtic supporter and his name is representative of the very best attributes of our club.
Accordingly, whilst today is a sad day, a heavy day, from now on we should not let the name “Kano” just trip of our tongues like just another surname.
Kano signifies a Celtic supporter who many admired and befriended, and his name has become a watchword for all that is good in the Celtic support.
Irrespective of how well anyone knew him, all Celtic supporters are much richer in spirit for his being, and today we are all much poorer for his passing.
And we all owe it to him to pass on his story and his legacy to the generations to come.
Rest in Peace Kano
Thoughts and Prayers with the Kane family.
Such poignant words Paul.
Great post Blantyretim, encapsulates all.
Martin Kane R.I.P.
What a legacy the Kano Foundation is.
In the early days of the blog Kano’s Friday night rants were a hoot sometimes, he was missed when he took ill.
Every time I see the Kano Foundation flag at Celtic Park it reminded me of what Martin was going through, what a legacy to leave though knowing that thousands of young bhoys and girls get to see Celtic in your name. I know it’s not much consolation to the family at this time but hopefully in the future they will take comfort in that legacy knowing his name lives on.
RIP Martin Kane…
Sad news on Martin, My thoughts go out to his family.
I remember him from the early days on here, and look back with pride on the efforts of fellow Celts from CQN and beyond, who hopefully made his final years a bit more bearable. RIP
Haven’t posted on here in years. Terribly sad news today.
RIP Kano
Sannabhoy : RIP KANO.
11:43 on
9 January, 2015
WITS , that’s correct . Richie (of this parish) is involved with the horse and has been very generous donating proceeds from her winnings.
Sanna
I think she has been sold, don’t know if Richie is still involved
Sad news RIP Martin, has left a great legacy.
God Bless all those who lost their lives in Paris. The worlds gone mad!
Greetings from Wanchai
Apologies, Blantyrekev’s post.
Many wonderful moving sentiments today.
Rest In Peace. Martin Kane
May your legacy live on.
A sad day.
Condolences to Carolyn and the family on Martin’s passing. My thoughts are with you all today.
.
RIP
Ar Dheis Dé go raibh Sé
Rest in Peace Kano.
Hail Hail
The ole CQN corner in heaven has a mighty addition.
RIP Kano,
Another star in the sky tonight.
Rest in peace Kano and deepest sympathy to all his family and friends.
Lovely words Paul. I remember Martin’s posts and the sadness when his illness struck. The reaction on CQN was extraordinary (as it has been on a number of occasions, especially with little Oscar) and the outcome fantastic, not just for Kano but for those benefiting from the Foundation that bears his name.
I never met Martin but the way he dealt with his illness is inspiring, as is the support he and his family got.
RIP Martin and best wishes to his family.
Thoughts and Sympathies to everyone associated with Martin especially his family and friends and the CQN community.
HH
Kano
I never knew you but feel like I did
RIP
Long long time lurker but NEVER post. Breaking that rule to send my condolences to Kano’s family and friends. RIP.
Dreadfully sad news. Rest in Peace buddy, you have gone to a better place and we will all miss you greatly.
RIP
R.I.P
Martin Kane ,
gone , but will never be forgotten thanks to the amazing efforts of the guys involved in the Foundation .
To Martins family and friends may your God get you through the trying times ahead .
May all the family and friends of Kano have the strength to deal with their terrible loss.
For those of you who know them personally make sure you are there for them.
Some very poignant and moving comments on here today.
RIP Kano.
Is there any way a few of Martin’s old posts can be reproduced on here as a kind of small tribute to such an obviously well loved poster?
Kano’s Ghirl was sent over to Lee Smythe’s stable in County Tyrone last year. Lee likes her so much that he has bought her and she remains at his stables with another 4 Lamont horses.
I hope to go over to see them next month and I will ask him if he is willing to continue with a contribution of any winnings she makes to the Foundation. In any case, she will have the name Kano’s Ghirl for the rest of her career.
Just read the news, very sad indeed. RIP
Sad News
Rest in peace Kano
God Bless and Keep You
Thoughts and Prayers For Your Family and Friends
MT
Go raibh suaimhneas siorrai ag Kano.
Árd Macha
Just logged on and saw Paul67 header and my heart sank with shock and disbelief Kano whose courage and tenacity in fighting against his terrible disease and was an inspiration for many has been taken from us
.
RIP Kano plus my sincere condolences go out to Carolyn & family & his great mate Ramie
Kano’s sad passing is not the end as his memory will live on in the incredible work of the Foundation that proudly bears his name