Neil and Catherine Cooper, from Condobolin, in western NSW, turned their 130-year-old woolshed over to a camera crew from Channel Ten's Australian Idol on Tuesday and invited friends and family to an unplugged performance by the farming town's own idol, Shannon Noll.

Four takes of Noll's latest single, In Pieces, followed by an impromptu What About Me - the cover song that launched his career - were filmed as a segment for a special episode of the show, raising funds for Ronald McDonald Children's Charities and the helicopter service Child Flight.



The Coopers are fourth-generation farmers struggling with the drought. In December 2004 the Coopers' son Roy was rescued by Child Flight just days after his birth.

Born with life-threatening respiratory problems, Roy spent two days in intensive care at Orange Base Hospital before a Child Flight helicopter flew him to Royal North Shore hospital.

"You are used to being isolated out here, but it is a great comfort to know [Child Flight] are there," Mrs Cooper said.

Noll's performance will air tomorrow night as part of an out-of-competition Idol episode, titled Doing It for the Kids. Music from the show, including live performances from musicians including Darren Hayes and Katie Noonan, will be available for download with proceeds going to the two charities.