Wood you believe it... Jim's Stickmen log a lasting impression on Navan school

When Jim McKenna first began making quirky wooden stickmen in his shed almost a decade ago, he never imagined they would inspire communities across Ireland or leave a lasting mark on a school in Navan.

Known affectionately as the ‘The Stickman’, the Kilnaleck native has donated thousands of his handcrafted creations to charity raffles, helping schools, clubs, community groups and families in need. Earlier this year, one of those raffles helped St Oliver Plunkett NS raise funds for new sensory equipment.

But Jim's generosity didn't stop there.

Rather than asking for a donation to one of the many charities he regularly supports, Jim requested that the proceeds remain with the school and be used to purchase sensory resources for its pupils. The money helped provide a number of tongue drums, adding another valuable resource to the school's sensory provision.

Determined to do even more, Jim later returned to transform part of the school's sensory garden with a collection of handcrafted wooden creations. Among them is the striking Starfish Thrower, inspired by the well-known story of the little boy who returns stranded starfish to the sea, despite being told he could never save them all. His simple reply – ‘I made a difference to that one’ – has become a powerful reminder that even the smallest act of kindness can change a life.

The garden also features a handcrafted bird feeder café, an Antarctic penguin water station and a range of imaginative wooden installations designed to encourage outdoor learning.

Jim hopes the sensory garden will do more than simply brighten the school grounds. He hopes it will inspire the next generation to use their own talents, whatever they may be, to help others and make a positive difference in their communities.

For the children of St Oliver Plunkett NS, the garden is a much-loved outdoor space. For the school community, it stands as a lasting example of the difference one person's generosity can make.

As Jim has always said, the focus should never be on the stickmen themselves, but on the people and causes they are helping. His latest gift to St Oliver Plunkett NS is another quiet reminder that kindness, when shared, has a remarkable way of growing.

Photos of Jim McKenna installing the stickmen in St Oliver's.