Nipper Minchin may be 95 years old but that is not stopping him from raising thousands of dollars for charity.

The World War II veteran can usually be found in his cluttered Ingham shed, transforming piles of scrap wood into tractors, trains and other children's toys.

It is a hobby that has so far raised more than $16,000 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service and a significant sum for the Herbert River RSL.

"You want to watch children playing with my toys — they love them," Mr Minchin said.

"The money goes to the people who go out in those planes, picking up smashed up and injured people, brand new babies who can hardly breathe and snake bite people."

Nipper inspects some paints he's about to apply to a toy crocodile. ( ABC North Queensland: Tom Edwards )

While his toy making has taken off since the passing of his wife several years ago, Mr Minchin made his first toy nearly 70 years ago.

"In 1947 I made my first toy — a little red International tractor for our eldest daughter. She had it for years," he said.

"When I retired I made one or two toys, but then after Mummy — that was my wife — when she was called home, that was when I took the toys on in earnest."

Mr Minchin can't put a figure on how many toys he's made over the years, but said it took him about a week to craft and hand paint each one.

"Sometimes I'll start a train and then a couple of bits of wood will come up that would make a tanker and the train is half finished, (so) I'll make the tanker," he said.

"Then I'll make something else because the wood pops up that suits something. I've still got housework and meals to make and all of that."

Nipper Minchin checks over a toy crocodile he's finished making. ( ABC North Queensland: Nathalie Fernbach )

The Herbert River RSL is in Ingham and has held five auctions of Mr Minchin's toys, raising more than $200 on each occasion.

Sub branch manager Sheenagh Glyss said the club was very appreciative.

"He said 'I'm too old to be on the committee or to do any work. Would you take these toys and raffle them so I can give something back to you'," Ms Gyss said.

"Most people are amazed at the quality of toys. It's often the older generation who look at them and say, 'this is what I had as a kid'."

The RSL is down to 121 members these days and Mr Minchin is one of only three War World II veterans left in the area.

"One is in a nursing home, only two live in their own homes. Nipper is the only one who still drives a car," Ms Gyss said.

"He lives by himself, he looks after himself. If I'm that sprightly at 95, I'm going to be very happy."

Herbert River RSL sub branch manager Sheenagh Gyss with some of Nipper's toys that are being raffled off. ( ABC North Queensland: Tom Edwards )

As for Mr Minchin, toy making has become much more than just raising money. It's given him focus and a role to play in the community.

"I'm beginning to feel like I'm still useful," he said, recalling the times when he would visit his late wife in an aged care home.

"Truthfully, I don't want to get like that. I really don't. I know I'm 95, but while I'm still able to do it why shouldn't I make them."