The fund-raiser at Warrnambool Base Hospital will feature a speech by Stafford and focus on her successful Taste of Life cookbook, which has sold more than two million copies worldwide.

The former Mortlake woman will also discuss her latest book The Seagull, which has been described as a “courageous memoir of love and loss” following on from the death of her husband Bruce from cancer.

South West Healthcare spokeswoman Suzan Morey said the event would raise much-needed funds for a tele-health system connecting medical specialists via teleconferencing between Warrnambool and Melbourne.

The event will be hosted at the lecture theatre tomorrow with doors opening at 5.30pm for a 6pm start. Tickets are $25 per person and are still available from the hospital front desk.