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 Martin
May God give strenght to his family and friends at this sad time.
I measc laochra na gCeilteach go a h anam uasal
Qu’il repose en paix.
I did not have the pleasure of knowing Kano, but share the loss to the Celtic and CQN communities. My thoughts go out to his family and to my fellow CQNers who knew him personally.
He will leave a Kano Foundation legacy which embodies the charitable nature of his beloved club. Long may the banner flutter proudly at Celtic Park in his name.
RIP and YNWA
Richie , i knew that. i was just acknowledging the origins of her name and your generosity to WITS.
We expected that the donations wouldn’t continue and were just grateful and proud that you considered helping us.
HH
Sanna
I did not know Kano but was aware of his plight and in awe of his bravery.
There is a tribute on the Celtic web site
http://www.celticfc.net/news/7442
I can only add my condolences.
God bless you Martin.
So sad to hear the news about Kano…..prayers for and condolences to his family and friends.
Heaven’s CQN bloggers site will be much richer!
HH
Rest in Peace Kano.
Hail Hail.
R.I.P. Kano.
Sad news.
Requiescat in pace.
HH
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
RIP Martin
May God bless you and your family and friends at this time.
Rest in peace Martin.
Paul67 etal.
Just come on to lurk for a wee while but was exsteamly shocked by your leader this morning.
My thoughts go to Martins wife Susan, his Family, and friend Kano, who has kept us all informed on his well being over the years. RIP Martin,you’ve gone to meet your Dad.
I’ll write more on this later.
Rest in peace Martin.
Sorry. Carolyn rather than Susan.
You inspired many folk you don’t know and your legacy will always live on.
Good night Martin. God bless.
P
Stars
Same problem returned bud. Cannot text you!! Just get ” failed”. Anyhow, for you and anyone interested ive put a message re nags on previous thread. Didn’t want to have a list of horse related discussion on this thread today.
Just logged on and seen the news
R.I.P. Martin Kane
Thoughts and prayers for his wife and direct family but also to his special friends from the Celtic family Ramie and others who were closer to him .
Rest in peace Kano, heartfelt condolences to family and friends
Sad, sad news indeed.
RIP fella, your spirit lives on in many.
Martin Kane
‘Kano’
Requiescat in pace.
Thoughts with his family.
Eternal rest Martin
I just heard the terribly sad news about Martin and had to come on to express my condolences to Carolyn, the Kane family and Rammie as well as JP and the Foundation bhoys.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace.
I remember many a drunken (late) evening exchange with Kano and the craic that we had with Kano, Pablo, Noel …. et al!
There is a CQN corner up in heaven – where there are no mineshafters, Celtic always win and Martin and the Bhoys (with wee Oscar sitting alongside them) get to see Jimmy McGrory, Charlie Tulley, Jinky and Tommy play football and win in style.
Paul, CRC, Sannabhoy and all other posters – CQN is a special place that has seen and lost some very special people, cherish it.
Hail! Hail!
DavieL
Gutted when the news came through about our ole mate. With his situation, there was always a risk that this could happen.
Thank you Paul 67 for putting up this thread, as Carolyn and the Kane family will be able to read all the messages of support and see what Kano meant to the CQN community.
As well as the family in Oz, my thoughts are also with Kingoh and the rest of the Kane family here in Scotland. And of course, with Martin’s best mate Ramie!
Rest in Peace, Martin.
TTTT
R.I.P. Martin Kane.
Rest in Peace Martin
YNWA
Incredibly saddened by the news about Martin Kane.
May he rest in peace.
EC67
Sad news ref Kano… YNWA…. Condolences to Carolyn and all the the Kane family.
Rest In Peace Kano
Very upsetting news that Kano has been taken from us. His memory will live on amongst the CQN family.
Bless him.
Rest in Peace Martin Kane.
What a legacy to leave.
Just found out the news.
Rest in Peace Kano and God Bless always.
Well done to all who helped to Bring Martin Home and to extend that to The Kano Foundation – what a brilliant legacy.
After hearing the sad news about Martin,I received another piece of bad news.
A boy that I went to school with, played football with and generally crossed paths with, passed away yesterday…47 years old.
A loveable rogue and a good Celtic man.
RIP Barry Floyd.
Martin Kane
What a legacy you have left sir
Every wean that gets to walk through the gates of paradise will learn of you and realise that thanks to the impression you made on others they get the chance that they would probably never have got.
Right now i’m thinking of the story of the young jambo who just tagged along wae his pals on the Kano outing ,was given his bag ,prog ,scarf like all the other weans and entered the gates of Celtic park,on returning home informed his mam & da he wanted his room changed to Green & white:))))).
you will be remembered in days long from now ,what a mark to leave behind.
Hail Hail.
Sad day for all involved in the Celtic family…
Martin,
Goodnight and god bless…
Very sad news we have awoken to today , I didn’t know Martin but would like to pass on my sincere condolences to his family & friends R.I.P kano
RIP Barry Floyd