An interview with Nick Weir, by Callum McFadden for WFi.
Can you tell us about the mission of the Kano Foundation and why providing access to football for children is so important?
“At its heart, the mission of the Kano Foundation is simple: to give children the chance to experience live football and the magic of matchday at Celtic Park.
“Many of the children we support come from families or circumstances where attending a professional football match simply wouldn’t normally be possible.
“We work with schools, youth groups and community organisations, and the children who attend are usually between 8 and 13 years old. They come from all across the UK and Ireland, and sometimes even further afield overseas.
“Football has a unique ability to bring people together and make young people feel part of something special. In many ways what we do follows the old Celtic tradition of lifting a child over the turnstile, making sure no child misses out on the experience.”
Can you tell us about the history of the Kano Foundation and how it all began?
“The charity began with the story of Martin Kane, known to his friends as ‘Kano.’
“Martin was a Glasgow Celtic supporter living in Australia who sadly developed Devic’s Syndrome, a rare neurological illness which left him hospitalised for a long period.
“His friends and fellow Celtic supporters on the Celtic Quick News forum came together to help him. The original aim was to raise £60,000 to modify Martin’s home so he could return home and spend Christmas with his family.
”The campaign exceeded expectations and raised far more than the original target. With the remaining funds, supporters decided to take a group of children who had helped with the fundraising along to a Celtic match.
“From that moment, the idea behind the Kano Foundation was born.”
Photo: The Kano Foundation
Since launching the matchday experiences in the 2010/2011 season, what impact have you seen on the children?
“Since the first matchday in the 2010/2011 season, we have now welcomed over 21,000 children to Celtic Park.
“Today, we bring over 150 children to every Celtic home game to enjoy the matchday experience. For many of them it’s their first-ever live football match and their first time inside a stadium.
“Seeing their faces when they walk into Celtic Park for the first time is always something special. When the crowd starts singing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ or ‘The Grand Old Team to Play For’, it’s a moment that stays with them.
“Teachers and youth leaders often tell us afterwards how much the experience means to the children and the confidence it gives them.”
What does a Kano Foundation matchday experience look like for the children?
“The groups normally arrive at our Kano Foundation base near Celtic Park with their school or youth organisation.
“Our volunteers welcome them and hand out Kano goodie bags, usually including scarves, hats and some treats. Each child is also provided with either a hot meal or a voucher to enjoy food inside the stadium.
“There’s always a real sense of excitement building as the children realise they’re about to go to Celtic Park.
“We then walk together to the stadium, which is often the moment the day really becomes real for them. Once inside, they experience the atmosphere, the songs, and the excitement of live football.
“For many children, it’s a day they will remember for the rest of their lives.”
Photo: The Kano Foundation
The foundation relies heavily on volunteers. How important are they to your work?
“Quite simply, our volunteers are the engine room of the entire charity.
“From welcoming the children at the stadium to guiding them through the day, they are the faces the children remember. Without volunteers, the foundation simply would not function.
One of the things we’re most proud of is the tight and trusted team of volunteers we’ve built. They give their time, energy and kindness to make sure every child has a safe, memorable and joyful experience.
“And those small moments – the smiles, the excitement, the first sight of the stadium – are exactly why we do it.”
Looking ahead, what are the ambitions for the foundation?
“As we look ahead, our goal is simple: reach more children, create more experiences, and continue building on the incredible impact the foundation has already achieved.
“To help us do that, we are always looking to expand our matchday volunteer team and welcome new people who want to get involved.”
You recently announced a new ambassador for the charity. Can you tell us about that?
“Earlier this year, we were absolutely delighted to announce Celtic and Scotland player Kieran Tierney as our charity ambassador.
“Kieran understands how powerful football can be in a young person’s life. His support will help us raise awareness of the foundation and inspire even more young people.
“His journey shows what can happen when a love for football begins at a young age.”
For people inspired by the work of the Kano Foundation, how can they support the charity?
“The best place to learn more about the charity or make a donation is www.thekanofoundation.com.
“Anyone interested in volunteering can contact us directly using the email address on our website.
“People can also follow and reach out to us through Facebook, Instagram, and X. Every donation, volunteer, any bit of support helps us continue creating these special experiences for children.”
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