The donation is the start of a drive to help cover the costs of insuring the famous Kookaburra balloon, and keep it flying in the skies for Canowindra.

The Friends of Canowindra Ballooning committee went public last month about the insurance woes for the balloon, pleading for any financial assistance.

Lois and Allan read of the plea in the paper, and despite having only been at the Royal Hotel for six months and not from Canowindra, made the generous donation.

They felt it was too important to keep the balloon flying for the community and challenged other businesses to match their donation.

"We challenge the rest of the community to match it," Lois said on Monday.

"We only need 10 businesses to donate $200 each and we have covered the $2,000 cost of the insurance.

"Of course, any donation is affordable and will help.

"The Kookaburra balloon is available for community use, although you must have an experienced pilot, but this can be arranged.

"This is our town now, and we decided, we have to do something about this. The Kookaburra balloon is symbolic of Canowindra. It just looks magnificent when its flying up there, and we want to keep it there."

Donations to the insurance and annual maintenance costs of the balloon can be made at a special account set up at the Canowindra National Australian Bank branch.

Balloon enthusiasts will also have another special treat this long weekend, with more ballooning planned at Canowindra.

For more information about assisting the Kookaburra balloon, contact Jan Kerr on 6344 1819, Ian Bourne on 6344 2157 or Richard Glasson on 6364 0215.