Kate ScotterThey give up their spare time to help and support other Norwich folk and now a group of dedicated volunteers have been formally honoured.Kate Scotter

They give up their spare time to help and support other Norwich folk and now a group of dedicated volunteers have been formally honoured.

A civic reception has been held at Blackfriars Hall in Norwich to recognise and thank volunteers across the city.

The event marks the culmination of Voluntary Norfolk's year as the civic charity of 2009/10, which has been supported by the Evening News.

Tim O'Riordan, the Sheriff of Norwich, said: 'During our year we have been privileged to visit many of the groups that work so hard to make life in Norwich better.

'And what has struck us every time is the dedication and the enthusiasm of the volunteers, without whose input nothing can be done. We are delighted to be able thank you them for their contribution to our fine city.'

Prof O'Riordan and the Lord Mayor of Norwich, Eve Collishaw, chose Voluntary Norfolk as their civic charity of the year because they wanted to help many charities.

Over the year, they have been involved in a number of events, including a Chinese New Year dinner and a quiz night. All of the money raised will go to the Norwich Volunteer Fund, a fund that has been specifically set up to assist volunteers within the city.

The civic year also coincided with the charity's 40th anniversary.

Helen Johnson, chair of Voluntary Norfolk, said: 'The civic reception is the last big event of Voluntary Norfolk's Civic Year and we thought that a 'thank you' to the volunteers who put so much into Norwich was an appropriate way to finish things, because volunteers are at the heart of everything that Voluntary Norfolk does.'

Tina Roe, 68, who lives in Norwich's Golden Triangle and volunteers as a befriender, said: 'I love helping people. If anybody needs me, I pick up my keys and I'm out of the door.

'I have been looking forward to this reception. It is so nice to meet other volunteers and to find out about the kinds of things they get up to, and of course it was such a pleasure to meet the Lord Mayor and the Sheriff.

'My motivation for volunteering is to help other people but of course it is nice to be recognised for the work that one does.'

To find out more about Voluntary Norfolk and volunteering opportunities, go to www.voluntarynorfolk.org.uk

Don't miss next week's Evening News to find out how much money the Lord Mayor and Sheriff have managed to raise for Voluntary Norfolk and how it will be spent.