Belron celebrates 25 years of the Spirit of Belron Challenge

Belron has celebrated its 25th Spirit of Belron Challenge (SOBC), bringing together colleagues, families, friends, suppliers and partners from around the world to raise funds for its long-standing charity partner, Afrika Tikkun. 

 

For 25 years, SOBC has helped create brighter futures for children and young people in South Africa. What began as a fundraising event in 2001 has grown into an annual global campaign that has raised millions of euros and touched countless lives. Over the years, SOBC fundraising has helped support projects ranging from digital classrooms and solar-powered community centres to youth employment programmes, helping thousands of young people build brighter futures. 

 

This year's anniversary challenge brought together thousands of participants from 33 countries, who took part in a ten-day virtual Challenge with 1,400 then coming together for a flagship event at Dorney Lake in the UK. 

 

Together, they cycled, ran, walked, swam and used wheelchairs to cover more than 347,000 kilometres, raising €2.4 million for Afrika Tikkun. 

 

Founded in 1994, Afrika Tikkun works in some of South Africa's most underserved communities to support children and young people from early childhood through to employment. Through education, healthcare, skills development and career opportunities, the organisation helps young people fulfil their potential and break the cycle of poverty. Through its Cradle-to-Career programmes, Afrika Tikkun supports young people at every stage of life, from early years education and healthcare to skills training and employment opportunities. 

 

Belron's connection to South Africa stretches back to 1897, when its original business, Jacobs & Dander, began selling glass in Cape Town. That shared history makes the partnership with Afrika Tikkun particularly special.   

 

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About Belron

Belron® is one the world’s leading vehicle glass repair, replacement and recalibration group. Our key brands include Carglass®, Safelite Autoglass® and Autoglass®. We operate in 42 countries across 6 continents through wholly owned and franchise operations, and also manage vehicle glass and other insurance claims on behalf of insurance customers. Belron is home to around 32,000 employees who delivered 117.1 million jobs for our customers in 2025, with a focus on service quality generating a very high level of customer satisfaction. 

 

About Afrika Tikkun

Afrika Tikkun is a non-profit providing education, health and social services to disadvantaged communities within South Africa, through their five centres across Gauteng and the Western Cape. Their cradle to career 360 degree model provides a holistic approach to the development of young people from early childhood to school leaving age, to when they journey into accessing economic opportunities. Currently assisting over 10,000 children and youth across the country, their primary goal is to create a sustainable future through economic empowerment for the youth of South Africa. The credibility of this cause won the support of the Parton-in-Chief in memoriam, Nelson Mandela. The success of Afrika Tikkun’s cradle to career approach is rooted in partnerships with beneficiaries and their communities, as well as the fundamental alignment and support of civil society organisations, private businesses and government. More details are at www.afrikatikkun.org