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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Gabriel in Belfast.
Beautiful post !
gabriel in belfast
14:42 on 9 January, 2015
………………
You poured your heart out there mo chara, stay with it the hardest part is the first post and CQN will benefit from your participation. KTF
V
Bada I’m in if necessary.
Hx2
gabriel in belfast , beautiful. are you a %^&^ ?
Sanna
Rest in peace, Martin. Condolences to his family and his friends of whom there are many on here.
Bada.
I’m in.
The story told in Paul’s piece, and the story told by the sheer depth of humanity and compassion on display in every post that follows have made this blog a very real and very great place to be today. I’m sure that is the finest tribute to those we have lost and I hope of some comfort to those they have left behind.
My deepest condolences to their families
Gabriel ,
Stick around and post when you feel like it.
I have been on here almost since the start of the blog, within a few months of it’s birth.
Recently, I was becoming disenchanted with it, due to the increasing fractiousness of a lot of the posts and the apparently attention seeking faux controversies.
However, the focus of this thread has caused me to reflect on the core value of CQN and I find myself being drawn back to it, due to the inherent goodness of so many of our Celtic family.
Vive la differencecsc.
Just logged in. Very sad news. R.I.P. Martin. Thoughts and prayers with his family.
Very moving stuff on here today RIP Kano
RIP Martin Kane
Thoughts and prayers with your loved ones.
Was taken aback to read today’s blog, sad news.
Mcgraininspain was one of the names I associate with the original appeal I’ve not seen him comment for a long long time, hopefully he will return.
Ard Macha – sent you a message on Twitter.
HH
TTTT
Once again Kano has brought the blog together. A fitting tribute to a courageous man.
vmhan-Dr W-Hopefully guys close to the family can let us know,if they need a wee bit of help now and in the future.HH
RIP Martin.
Bada
Lovely thought, but I’d be inclined to let the family get on and do what’s needed with their own dignity.
I have often walked into Parkhead and it doesnt matter for me if it is full or empty the hairs on the back of my neck rise up when I think of all the great folk who were there before me uncles Grandfather old friends who are no longer with us.The past greats who played for our club that I have heard stories of they are all there with me in spirit I didnt know Martin personally but I am now certain he will be there with me and his spirit will help fill that great ground.When players say they played at Paradise and couldnt believe the atmosphere they never knew there were more than 60,000 celtic fans there each fan brings within there memories there own spirits from the past and together we fill that dear green place and we shed tears of happiness that we are privileged to have known these great fans of the past and to carry them in our hearts.Celtic are more than a football club. H.H.
Martin Kanes legacy will remain with us and this community of caring helpful decent people forever.
We came to his aid in an acute hour of need to do what we could and bhoy, did we succeed. I know we made his remaining time on earth more comfortable for him and those near and dear.
He will always walk amongst…and never alone.
R.I.P. Kano
Thoughts and prayers go to Martin’s family
Rest in Peace Martin
gabriel in belfast
Wonderful post. RIP Kano and sincere condolences to his family. He is now at peace. God Bless him.
Sincere and deep condolences to the whole Kane family and the many in the Celtic family affected.
He’ll never walk alone.
the battered bunnet
15:24 on 9 January, 2015
Totally understand mate.HH
Gabrial I was going to post something this morning but you’ve summed up eactly what I was thinking. Absolutley brilliant post. The reaction on twitter to Kano’s passing from folks far and wide has really moved me this morning and has really reinforced to me why i’m eternally lucky and very proud to be part of the Celtic Family.
RIP Martin, your legacy encompasses everything that it means to me to be a Celtic Fan
Martin Kanes legacy will remain with us and this community of caring helpful decent people forever.
We came to his aid in an acute hour of need to do what we could and bhoy, did we succeed. I know we made his remaining time on earth more comfortable for him and those near and dear.
He will always walk amongst us…and never alone.
R.I.P. Kano
Gabriel in Belfast
Wonderful and very moving first post!
I will be looking out for your next one.
Take care.
RIP Kano
therags…
Hope this isn’t taken the wrong way but, since the heartbreaking news broke this morn on here and, thoughout Celtic cyberspace, I can’t stop thinking about the mins silence observed in the Jungle for Mr Stein, against Aberdeen in 1985. There was hardly a dry eye in the ole place that day, todays out-pouring of sympathy keeps making me think about that day. As I said, I can’t explain but, its so, so sad.
Bada
Let’s see how it pans out, but a fine CQNer asked me, once the news broke about Martin, whether a paving stone in memory of Kano may be appropriate.
I think that this would be a great idea, but only at the appropriate time, with any extra being donated to The Kano Foundation in Martins name.
HH to a great but also a sad blog today.
CRC
Just heard the news about Kano and come on here to see Paul’s article.
So very sad indeed.
Martin’s legacy will last for manys a year through the Kano Foundation. A worthy testament to the Mhan himself and his character.
My thoughts and Prayers are with Carolyn and their 2 children.
RIP Kano! God Bless you.
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
Just logged in, so sad to read the news regarding Martin.
May he rest in Peace.
Kevjungle……
No problem bud.
Another lovely post.
Just tuning in for the first time in a while.
Gutted for Martin and his family and friends.
Helping him and his family was CQN’s proudest moment.
Gabriel in Belfast
14:42 on 9 January, 2015
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On a day like today – that was well needed fella.
Thank you.
gabriel in belfast
14:42 on 9 January, 2015
Please don’t be a stranger Fhriend.
HH jamesgang
Gabriel in Belfast,
excellent and moving first post.
Welcome and long may you contribute. Dont go back to lurking.
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
Philbhoy
15:34 on 9 January, 2015
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Cheers fella – Hail Hail
Ye know…maybe I’m thinking of that day and, its the way that I imagine we’d all be like just now if, we were all together?
So strange, so sad.
CRC-When guys on here like your good self ask of the bhoys and ghirls on here,you know the response will always be overwhelming.HH
CRC – great idea about the paving stone. Kano & Wee Oscar – Celtic Legends!
T4
Rip Martin