The memory of a fearless nine-year-old is set to live on when vicars swap their usual dog collars for a sparkly version. 

Erin Sadler has inspired a Highwoods vicar to carry on her legacy by wearing diamonte sparkling dog collars instead of the traditional white ones. 

Erin died in December 2022 after her lifelong battle with blood, kidney, liver and heart disease.

Her mum Helen Sadler said: "She did not allow her complex health to define who she was, and who she was was the most glorious, witty, wild, enchanting, tenacious, grab life and live it person you would ever wish to meet, defining the odds time and time again, to rise like a Phoenix."

Gazette:

“She was a most amazing young lady, who was not afraid of anything and had the most wicked sense of humour," said the Rev Hannah Cooper, the vicar of St Luke’s and St Mark’s in Highwoods, where Erin’s celebration of life was held. 

Just like her spirit, Erin loved everything colourful and sparkly.

Her mother Helen approached the Rev Cooper and asked if she could make a change to her dog collar for Erin's celebration of life by personalising it with pink diamonds to represent Erin's sparkle. 

And after the celebration, the Rev Cooper started to consider keeping the joyous accessory. 

“Was it a one-off for a one-off event or the beginning of a different way of looking at me as a vicar”, she said. 

In thanks Helen presented her with a set of six coloured dog collars, creating another way to see Erin’s memory live on. 

After receiving permission from the bishop, the Rev Cooper continued wearing the sparkly collars to honour Erin and her joyous spirit. 

Gazette:

“I’ve been stopped so many times – usually at least once a day when wearing my sparkly collar to comment on how lovely it is and how different, which has enabled me to continue to share a little of who Erin was and what an inspiration she was”, she said. 

And it did not stop with the Rev Cooper as the newest vicars of St Luke’s and St Mark’s, who were ordained on September 3, joined in sharing the young fighter’s enthusiasm for life by wearing the cheerful accessory. 

“I can’t keep it to myself, these sparkles need it be shared”, said the Rev Cooper, who asked Helen to make more collars. 

The dog collars are now sold for £7.50, with a significant amount of the proceeds going to ti the Rainbow Trust children's charity. 

When launched online, the response was incredibly positive, with many clerks interested in joining to spread Erin’s love for life.