It was ill health that forced the talented former owner-operator of a panel beating and paint spraying business to retire from work 10 years ago but he put his innate creativity back to work by hand building a metre long model boat entirely from his imagination.

No ordinary model, this boat is made from match sticks, some 10,000 of them with each being meticulously cut to size and carefully glued into place.

It has taken a decade for Mr Veitch, 59, to finish the project but last week he presented the model to Alkira Respite Service Inc at Toronto.

Kathy Brennan of Alkira Respite Service Inc was delighted with the gift.

"Al has generously presented us with this beautiful model in appreciation to the Staff and Clients of Alkira where he has attended for the past two years and formed many friendships. It's a wonderful gift from a wonderful man," she said.

"Al also has a great interest in completing jigsaw puzzles no matter how difficult they are. He reckons the daily challenge keeps his mind active," she said.