'How I remember my child shouldn't be a discussion'

The family raised flags to remember Erin Sadler who died aged nine

A mother who was told flags commemorating her daughter's life were adverts that had to be taken down has said the council has reversed its decision.

Erin Sadler, from Colchester, had multiple life-threatening and life-limiting conditions and died aged nine in December 2022.

Her grandfather raised flags outside his Ipswich Road home but following a complaint Colchester City Council instructed the family to take them down. It has since reversed its decision.

"Everyday I have to survive without my daughter and how we choose to remember her shouldn't be up for discussion," Helen Sadler said.

Ms Sadler said the family were first made aware of a complaint on 25 June and were given guidance.

Despite removing a flag after speaking to neighbours they were contacted by the council again and were told that the flags had been deemed as advertising.

"I started looking into this because Erin's not an advert, we're not advertising anything," Ms Sadler said.

"The need of a mother, the instinct to protect never leaves you."

One of the flags included a mention of the Rainbow Trust Children's Charity, which supports families of children with terminal or life-threatening conditions.

Ms Sadler said her family was only "raising awareness" of the charity.

Helen Sadler says she wants her daughter to have a positive legacy

She accepted the council had to deal with complaints but said it could not be limited to regulations, as "it has to be about humanity as well".

"Everyday I have to survive without my daughter and how we choose to remember her shouldn't be up for discussion," she said.

"Often people have an opinion but they haven't walked in the shoes of a parent who has lost a child."

She added: "We're not bad people, we do think of others, we are very mindful because that's Erin's way.

"We want to continue her legacy in a positive way and not bring any negativity around her."

Ms Sadler said she was glad to have found a resolution with the council.

A spokesperson for Colchester City Council said they understood it had been a "distressing time" and confirmed a solution had been found.

“The flags commemorating Mrs Sadler’s daughter will be treated as a memorial and therefore exempt from the usual advertisement regulations," they said.

“We are pleased to have reached a resolution that respects the family’s wishes while adhering to the necessary regulations.”