MUM’S LIFE IS A BIT OF A ROLLERCOASTER!
Theme park fan and social media star wins award
ROLLERCOASTER fanatic Rachel Pender has amassed more than 145,000 social media followers by capturing her visits to the country’s theme parks.
Now the 39-year-old, from Biddulph, has been recognised for her impact on social media by landing a top award.
Rachel collected a silver award in the Instagrammer of the Year category in the 2022 instalment of the UK Theme Park awards.
It comes after the mumof-two attracted 55,000 followers on Instagram, 145,000 on Tiktok and 1,900 on Facebook.
And she even gets recognised on visits to theme parks where fellow enthusiasts ask for her photograph.
Her love of theme parks comes after dad Tony Lally took her to Blackpool Pleasure Beach as a child.
While she puts in the miles to visit various theme parks she says the one on her doorstep – Alton Towers – is ‘like a little piece of heaven on earth’.
Rachel says being a rollercoaster enthusiast places her in a ‘big community’.
The content creator and carer said: “It makes me feel like I’m being in another little magical world – a lot of people feel like that.
It’s a massive community where people make so many friends.
“Just through going to Alton Towers, I’ve met so many amazing people. I like Alton Towers, it’s like a little piece of heaven on earth. It just makes you happy.”
Husband of six years, Kev, joins her on the theme park trips – despite not being an enthusiast himself.
Rachel said: “He’s so supportive. It’s not his hobby at all. He’s not a big fan of rollercoasters. But my two girls like the rollercoasters.”
When it comes to her top three rollercoasters she puts Smiler in first, followed by Flamingo Land’s Sik, with third place shared between Thorpe Park’s Stealth, Saw and Swarm.
Rachel may have thousands of followers on social media - but admits to once being ‘painfully shy’. She said: “It’s helped my confidence grow. I didn’t dare to talk to anyone.
“The nicest thing about it is making memories with your family. I’ve had some really nice experiences.”