A memorial initiative has been unveiled in Bradford city centre to commemorate a homeless man who lost his life in devastating circumstances.
Stephen Cameron, who had been living on the streets for 18 years, died after being struck by a vehicle on Market Street in July.
Ethan Asante, a 30-year-old creative professional from Lidget Green, established the tribute outside Barclays Bank, near the former NatWest doorway where Stephen frequently spent time.
The installation aims to document Stephen’s existence following his death, which occurred just one day after his 50th birthday.
Stephen, who used a wheelchair, was hit by a blue Nissan Qashqai that mounted the kerb.
The collision also left a 31-year-old man with serious injuries and a 13-year-old boy sustaining minor wounds.
A 30-year-old man was subsequently arrested and later released on bail.
Asante, who established the creative enterprise Proof of Lifes, employed his expertise as a graphic designer and three-dimensional artist to construct the portrait using video footage and screen captures.
The display incorporates a reconstructed image of Stephen, a bespoke poem and a quick response code enabling members of the public to contribute their recollections.
According to Asante, the installation seeks to present a personal perspective of Stephen’s life.
He noted that Stephen spent 18 years experiencing homelessness and was a familiar presence in the city, yet his individual story remained largely unknown.
Asante stated that following Stephen’s passing, he placed the public life record at the location where companions had previously placed floral tributes, only to discover upon arrival that every token had already been removed.
This discovery reinforced the motivation behind the project, prompting reflection on what persists of a person’s life after commemorative offerings disappear.
The initiative forms part of a broader movement named Poverty Cannot Cancel Calling, which seeks to develop a trial programme in Bradford before extending to seven additional northern towns and cities.
Asante is currently pursuing financial support, collaborations with homelessness organisations and suitable public sites for subsequent installations.
Asante expressed his view that while numerous charities concentrate on providing sustenance, blankets and temporary shelter, this campaign leverages individual abilities since everyone carries a narrative.
He suggested that those with relevant skills could document the lives of homeless individuals, encouraging people to consider their own capabilities and how they might optimise them for meaningful purposes.
Proof of Lifes originated in 2022 under the name Moments by TOBY, following Asante’s loss of six relatives during the coronavirus pandemic.
The enterprise initially specialised in designing funeral booklets and commemorative items before transitioning to its current focus on chronicling the stories of individuals whose lives might otherwise remain unrecorded.