A MUM who recently took up exercise to aid her brain tumour recovery is currently pedalling towards Paris – on a stationary bike.

Teresa Goodwin, a Barry, Royal British Legion poppy appeal organiser, has set off for ‘virtual France’ in her effort to raise money for the charity she and her husband, Taf, support.

Having begun her mission on September 1, she aims to complete her Pedal To Paris journey on Saturday, September 30 – replacing the Arc de Triomphe with an exercise bike at the cenotaph in Barry.

Mrs Goodwin, 54, of St Athan, was diagnosed with a temporal glioma in 2012 and went through neurosurgery in 2013.

The operation was followed by chemotherapy at Velindre, but the surgery left her with epilepsy, left-sided weakness and chronic fatigue.

She has also been left with scar tissue and is subject to regular health checks.

Her occupational therapist suggested exercise may aid her recovery and she was referred to the National Exercise Referral Scheme (NERS).

NERS is a Welsh Government funded scheme which offers exercise referral opportunities across all local authorities and local health boards in Wales.

It focuses on clients who have a chronic disease or are at risk of developing chronic disease.

It runs for a minimum of 16 consecutive weeks and consists of two fully supervised group-based sessions each week.

She said: “After battling a brain tumour and learning to live with life changing side effects, I have decided to use the experience in a positive way to raise money for a charity my husband and I care passionately about.

“With the help and support of my loving family and friends I am using an exercise bike to pedal the 460 kilometres (286 miles) from ‘London to Paris’.”

Mrs Goodwin said her first gym battle was getting on the bike and she still needs help dismounting.

She said: “The only people in the gym have health conditions and my NERS instructor, Lisa Cleary has given me confidence. It does make me feel much better.

“I’m aiming to do 15km a day in three short sessions.

“I’m not saying I enjoy it, but I’ve got used to it. I seem to be constantly in my PJs.

“I’m not like Bradley Wiggins. I just grit my teeth.”

Visit justgiving.com/teresagoodwin