ALEXANDER’S GREAT FOREST PROJECT
Alexander touched the hearts of countless people, especially within the George community, through his resilient and kind spirit, and the courageous way in which he fought Glioblastoma; an extremely aggressive form of brain cancer.
Alexander passed away peacefully at home on 20 May 2026, at the age of 13. At the time, his hometown of George had just experienced the most devastating storms in its recorded history. To many, this felt symbolic of the great storm Alexander had been facing since his diagnosis at just 11 years old.
The storms caused tremendous damage, including the loss of hundreds of trees in the beautiful, green tree town of George. As messages of love and condolences poured in, Alexander’s family reflected on both the loss of the trees and the legacy Alexander had left behind. From this, the idea of a forest; a living tribute to Alexander and a symbol of hope for the town was born.
A living forest of remembrance, celebrating what George has overcome, the strength of a community that stood together through adversity, and the way one boy’s courage inspired so many people to take action.
These trees will be planted on newly acquired land, creating a lasting contribution to the Garden Route Botanical Garden and the people of George for generations to come.
What started as a project to plant 100 trees soon grew to 300 and now, an entire community is coming together to create a thriving indigenous forest of 4,000 to 5,000 trees.
Alexander’s Great Forest.
Our Vision
In partnership with the Garden Route Botanical Garden, Alexander’s Great Forest Project aims to restore the newly acquired property by transforming it from a previous pine plantation into a thriving indigenous forest.
The vision is to create a diverse indigenous forest, featuring rare and endemic tree species that can grow to their full potential - much like the natural beauty of the Knysna Forest. This will be a first-of-its-kind project for the area and a meaningful expansion of the botanical gardens, creating a legacy that will benefit both nature and the George community for generations to come.
Even if the forest is not yet ready for public planting, people can purchase their trees now. These trees will be kept and cared for by the Botanical Garden, allowing them to grow strong and be ready for the future planting day.
Indigenous forests play a vital role in restoring biodiversity, providing habitats for birdlife and wildlife, improving soil health and air quality, and supporting natural ecosystems. They also contribute to creating more resilient landscapes and can assist with natural fire mitigation.
Through this project, Alexander’s legacy will continue to grow - restoring nature, strengthening the community, and creating a place of hope and remembrance.
How the project works
Members of the public can purchase indigenous trees through Alexander's Wish NPC to become part of Alexander's Great Forest Project. Through our partnership with the Garden Route Botanical Gardens, trees are made available at a reduced rate, allowing more people to contribute to this growing legacy.
When purchasing a tree, supporters are invited to provide their details and, if they wish, leave a personal message to Alexander. Many choose to share memories, words of encouragement, or reflections on how Alexander's courage and kindness have inspired them.
As the project has grown far beyond its original vision, the Garden Route Botanical Gardens has requested that all tree purchases be managed directly through Alexander's Wish NPC. This ensures that every tree is accurately recorded, labelled, and geotagged when planted.
Alexander's Wish NPC coordinates the purchase of the trees from the Garden Route Botanical Gardens and then donates them back to the project for planting in the forest. In this way, every tree purchased becomes a lasting contribution to both Alexander's legacy and the future indigenous forest.
Together, we are creating a living forest of rememnbrance, hope, and community - one tree at a time.
How to get involved
If you feel inspired to be part of Alexander's Great Forest Project and believe you can contribute in any way, we would love to hear from you. Whether through your time, skills, resources, or support, every contribution helps bring this vision to life.
You can also help by spreading the word and sharing the project with friends, family, schools, businesses, and the wider community. As the forest grows, so too does the need for support, labour, resources, and ongoing care to prepare and establish this special space.
Most importantly, you can make a lasting contribution by donating a tree. Every tree planted brings us one step closer to growing this Great Forest - a living legacy and a place the people of George can be proud of for generations to come.
Donate A Tree
Thank you for choosing to contribute to Alexander’s Great Forest. Every tree planted leaves a lasting impact and will be enjoyed for generations to come.
Alexander’s Great Forest Register – Coming Soon
Once trees have been planted and tagged, the Great Forest Register will allow you to find your tree, view its geotagged location and see the personal message linked to it. As Alexander’s Great Forest has grown into a long-term project that will continue to grow over the next couple of years, the register will be updated as new trees are planted and added to the forest.
Stay Connected
Follow along on our social media pages to witness Alexander’s Great Forest Project come to life. Stay updated with the latest progress, milestones, and stories as this legacy continues to grow.