YOUNG people in Okehampton are due to receive a New Year tonic thanks to a £3,800 grant to improve their health.
The award has been made as part of the £3-million Right Fit project, a joint partnership launched last year between healthcare company Glaxo Wellcome and children's charity Barnardo's.
The grant has been made to Okehampton Community Recreation Association which will use the money to develop its innovative play schemes.
Stuart Lord, manager of OCRA, said: 'When I opened the envelope I danced around my office for a while.'
He saw the Right Fit award in the Funding Digest. 'I applied literally at the eleventh hour — so I am really pleased.' he said.
The judges, made up of health care professionals, had a tough task choosing the 46 successful projects from the 360 applications.
Mr Lord said they would use the money for their play scheme.
'We live in a rural area and we would like to extend our schemes locally.
'We will spend the money on training and coaching, in transport — bussing people in, and in training play leaders in other satellite areas such as Chagford and Hatherleigh.'
The playscheme is up to 13 years of age but Mr Lord wants to develop it to 13-plus because 'a lot of kids at that age don't know what to do with themselves.'
'I feel that if you can offer them something which stimulates them and provides exercise and enjoyment then that's what we should be trying to do.'
Mr Lord said all their playschemes and sports activities were part of their special health-centred project which offered a diverse area of sports and youth activities, such as boys' and girls' football, gymnastics, tennis, karate, trampolining, rollerblading, plus work experience for youth coaches/volunteer healthy eating programmes and other health/education activities.
'This grant will help us to expand our work in a rural community where youngsters need something to do,' said Mr Lord.
'If we can do this work with the children's health in mind then that's what it's all about.'