As dusk settled over Sydney’s Hyde Park, a poignant gathering unfolded beneath the sprawling fig trees, where a sea of electric candles illuminated the sombre tribute to Bikram Lama, a 32-year-old man who tragically passed away while homeless. Friends, support workers, and members of the community came together to remember a life that ended far too soon, with many reflecting on the urgent need for systemic change in addressing homelessness.
‘Died Unseen’: A Heartbreaking Vigil
The emotional gathering was marked by the sounds of a guitar as friend Joe Trueman, a former rough sleeper, played Phil Collins’ “Another Day in Paradise.” The heartfelt tribute encapsulated the sentiment of the evening, as mourners held candles in hues of blue, red, white, and purple, symbolising hope and remembrance. Erin Longbottom, a dedicated homelessness support worker, delivered a powerful address, stating, “No one should be left to die in the middle of Sydney, alone and unseen
