A BEACH hut created in memory of an inspirational little girl has been named the best in the country.
Teenager Ty Bowring has seen his West Mersea beach hut Erin crowned Britain’s best by Love Your Hut.
The beach hut created by the 18-year-old was named in memory of Erin Sadler.
Erin, who was born with multiple life-threatening and life-limiting diseases, tragically died aged nine just before Christmas in December last year.
Ty’s winning ice cream-themed hut is a tribute to little Erin, who spent many days at Ty’s beach huts during the final year of her life.
Erin loved ice cream, so the interior is decked out like a 1950s ice cream parlour, complete with sparkly worktops, a black and white tiled floor and pastel-coloured ‘diner’ booths.
Along with her mum and grandad, Erin helped Ty to fit out the interior, with the hut’s sign written in Erin’s handwriting.
Ty, who has autism and a learning disability, runs his own business with the support of mum Cas.
He started the business by renovating and renting out the family’s beach hut Mabel, later adding a second hut due to huge success.
The inspirational teen regularly hires his beach huts to the public and shares the profits with good causes.
The Love Your Hut judges were “blown away” with not only the interior and design of Erin, but also the “whole ethos” behind Ty’s business.
On his big win, Ty said: “I’m thrilled to have won Love Your Hut of the Year.
“Erin is more than just a beach hut to me. Erin is a place families can go for special memories.
“Last year I organised 76 free days for families with cancer, disabilities, health problems, those who have experienced domestic abuse, adopted and foster families, armed services, local schools and charities, to name but a few.”
On top of this, one of the runners up of the competition also came from north Essex, in the form of a Palm Beach-inspired hut in Walton.
Jayn Willis bought and refurbished the hut in memory of her daughter Gemma, who lost her battle with cancer in 2021.
Designed to Gemma’s favourite theme - Palm Beach meets Beverly Hills, all hire fees go to the Floating Florista Foundation to gift respite days to those fighting cancer and receiving chemotherapy, radiotherapy or immunotherapy.
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