Five Norfolk charities hoping for a financial lifeline from Norfolk's 'charity dragons' have been given a huge helping hand with their projects.

At the event, organized by the Norfolk Community Foundation and The Funding Network, the Dragon's Den-style audience of local donors and philanthropists heard a variety of moving appeals from representatives of the five charities, all pitching for financial support to aid their work in the community.

They included breast cancer reconstruction support group Keeping Abreast, Community Action Norwich, which offers support an guidance to women exiting prostitution, Pregnancy Choices Norfolk, helping young people to reduce the risk of unplanned pregnancy, The Matthew Project which wanted the funding for a youth project in Sprowston, and The Norfolk Hospice at Tapping House, which supports patients with life limiting conditions such as cancer, MS and Parkinson's Disease, to help them live as full a life as possible through the use of technology in its Living IT project.

Each of the finalists had to battle their way through a rigorous selection procedure to be present on the night, then had just six minutes to explain what they needed the money for and the impact it would have.

At the end of the pledging session Graham Tuttle, director of the Norfolk Community Foundation announced that the groups would each benefit from a share of �5,000 after this year's Royal Norfolk Show, where visitors will be able to post counters to nominate the group they would like to receive the largest amount.

Jackie Higham, a member of The Funding Network in London who brought the event to Norfolk, said: 'Bringing people together to give is extremely effective and appeals to all types and ages of donors.

'All of these groups presented very strong cases on the night and really do need that funding to help others – the audience obviously responded to that and enjoyed the process. It's a great way of giving.'

To find out more about the work of the Norfolk Community Foundation visit www.norfolkfoundation.com.