CELTIC’S PARADISE TRIBUTE TO TRAGIC SUPERFAN
Grieving Katie touched by gesture
CELTIC chiefs are planning a special tribute for a superfan who died from complications of a secret heart transplant just weeks after his
hospital bed wedding.
Stevie Cairns, 49, had dreamed of returning Celtic Park to renew his wedding vows with Katie, 51, after marrying her while critically ill. But just days after finding a match and going to surgery in secret to save Katie from worry, Stevie died the day before he was expected to return home. Now, Celtic are making plans to host his heartbroken widow as soon as games resume at Parkhead. A club spokesman said: “Stevie showed such courage and determination in his fight and everyone at the club has been so saddened to learn of his passing. “We know it was Stevie’s dream to return to Celtic Park. It is tragic that he will not make this. We will be inviting Katie to Celtic Park in the near future when we can pay tribute to Stevie.” We told in May how Stevie and Katie donned full PPE to say “I do” at the Golden Jubilee hospital in Clydebank. Stevie had suffered serious heart complications at the start of the year and was wired to a machine that kept his heart beating for several months. The couple had dreamed of holding their big day at Celtic Park but, with Stevie critical, they decided not to put their vows off any longer and wed in the ward. The couple were celebrating news that not only was Stevie expected to receive a new heart that evening, but their team had just been crowned Premiership champions.
His hopes of a transplant fell through that day for a third time, so when a fourth donor was found he kept the op a secret.
Just days after the transplant, Stevie was making great progress but a week later, on August 20, Stevie fell ill, suffered a cardiac arrest and was rushed in for surgery. He died just hours later.
Katie yesterday thanked Celtic for their touching offer.
She said: “Stevie’s shirt will have our wedding date on the back and I will wear mine on the day too.”