Novelist Jeffrey Archer and Olympic rowing legend Sir Matthew Pinsent helped host a charity dinner at Oxford University’s Trinity College to raise £47,000 for the city’s new cancer centre at the Churchill Hospital.

Oxford colon cancer charity Octopus helped organise the black tie do, which will provide funding for a computerised operating theatre for the colorectal department.

Lord Archer acted as the auctioneer on Saturday, bringing in £21,000 in bids for items including holidays, power boating trips and a sculptured portrait in bronze.

In a blog on his website, Lord Archer wrote: “The main speaker was Matthew Pinsent who gave a fascinating talk about what it’s like to win four gold medals in four Olympics.”

The audience also listened to former John Radcliffe Hospital patient Jo Drury talking about her experience of colon cancer.

She said: “Some people think I was terribly unlucky to have cancer at 29, especially colon cancer, but I don’t see it like that.

“I was lucky to have an amazing family who talked about cancer from an early age and lucky to have been referred to Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals where the most up-to-date treatment is available.”

In total, 148 people attended the dinner, raising £47,000 for the centre. Fomer Beatles producer Sir George Martin was among those who attended.

Oxford Cancer Campaign chairman Neil Ashley said: “The campaign was founded 15 months ago to provide that extra special patient comfort and leading-edge medical equipment for the new regional cancer hospital.

“So far we have raised over £2m of our £ 2.5m target, and this dinner has helped us get even closer to that target.”