More than 200 guests attended the forth Love Norfolk event hosted by the Norfolk Community Foundation to enjoy an evening of art and culture.

This year's annual event focused on arts in the community and guest speaker Peter Wilson, chief executive of Norwich Theatre Royal, gave a lecture on the importance of the arts in educational attainment.

The audience also enjoyed musical performances from some of the local community groups and charities that have received funding via the Foundation, including children's orchestra Sistema and singer Lorna Cracknell, from performing arts centre The Garage.

Mr Wilson said: 'I was delighted to be invited to put the case for raising Norfolk's aspirations through focused funding of the arts, to such an influential group.'

Norfolk Community Foundation is an independent registered charity and part of a national movement of community foundations that undertake strategic grant making, facilitates philanthropy and contributes to social change in the local area.

Its aim is to build a stronger community in Norfolk by addressing the needs and areas of disadvantage in the county.

The Foundation has also recently published its annual review and chief executive, Graham Tuttle, reflected on some of the milestones of the year and shared with the audience the work that has been achieved in the local community through the donors and supporters.

He said: 'Since its creation in 2005, Norfolk Community Foundation has awarded grants that total in excess of £12,000,000 and helped over 2,500 charities and community groups in that time.

'We are very proud of that achievement and recognise that it simply would not have been possible without the generosity of all our donors and supporters.'

Donors were also given the opportunity to meet with some of the charities and voluntary organisations - who exhibited on the night - to learn more about the work of the groups and the impact donations can have.

These included organisations such as Norfolk Knitters, which brings people together through 'knit and natter' groups by learning new skills and making new friends, and Norwich Door to Door, which provides affordable transport to children, adults and older people with mobility needs.

The event was sponsored by Rathbones and took place at the John Innes Centre on Wednesday.

• For a copy of the annual review or to find out how to support the work of the Foundation, contact Anna Douglas on 01603 623958 or email annadouglas@norfolkfoundation.com.