Sjur Herheim and Jahn Brusdal Eriksen Raised Funds for a Freezer Truck for Ukraine
One of the challenges in Ukraine is transporting fallen soldiers home from the front. Earlier this fall, Sjur Herheim and Jahn Brusdal Eriksen launched a fundraiser for a freezer truck. Now the truck is in place and already in use. They drove the vehicle themselves down to Ukraine.
Jahn is from Indre Arna. He is a geologist and works at M Vest Energy, a company where both the owner and several employees have been actively involved and contributed significant support to Ukraine.
Inspired by His Grandfather
“My interest in contributing to Fritt Ukraina comes from my grandfather, Karl Johan, who has been involved in this cause for a long time,” says Jahn. “When the war in Ukraine began, it felt very close. It could have been us standing in the middle of it. Since then, I’ve thought a lot about how we can contribute in the best way possible,” he adds.
Jahn participated in a transport earlier this summer, Fritt Ukraina’s 36th transport in August. That was when he realized there was a great need for freezer trucks. He also understood that the freezer truck was particularly challenging to finance.
“A truck for transporting bodies might not be as easy to sell as other types of aid projects, but I knew it was important, and that’s why I involved my good friend Sjur, who has a big heart. He was easy to convince to participate,” Jahn explains.
Sjur Herheim is a civil engineer from Voss and works as a sector leader at Bergen Engines. His employer is also engaged in supporting Ukraine. Large parts of Ukraine’s energy supply have been destroyed, and Bergen Engines is set to deliver eight 10 MW engines for power generation. The delivery is planned around the turn of the year.
“Like many others, I have felt a sense of hopelessness in the face of the war in Ukraine,” says Sjur.
“Even though the war can sometimes feel distant, its consequences are enormous. When Jahn came to me with the idea for the freezer truck, I quickly realized it was something we could do together.”
Sjur and Jahn used their networks in Arna and Voss, as well as their workplaces, to start the fundraising campaign.
Drove the Truck Down Themselves
The fundraiser was open for about a month and a half.
“It was great to see how many wanted to contribute. We received a lot of positive feedback, and it was clear that people appreciated us raising funds for something so concrete. It also felt meaningful to be able to follow the project from start to finish in such a short time.”
Sjur and Jahn drove the truck down themselves, a journey that took two and a half days. They traveled with the 6th of June Column, a Bergen-based group with a keen interest in history.
“The symbolism of D-Day, which stands for freedom, was perfect for what we wanted to achieve. We managed to raise NOK 121,500. The truck cost a little more, but thankfully, the 6th of June Column contributed a sum. Combined with a donation from the trade unions Negotia and Delta, the remaining amount was covered,” Jahn explains.
Jahn completed the final leg to a unit at the front, further east in the country, where the freezer truck was delivered to Ukraine’s 3rd Assault Brigade.
“It was intense to experience the war up close. At the same time, it feels good to be able to contribute. It gives meaning to know that what we’re doing makes a difference, and it’s powerful to see how much the units appreciate the help,” says Jahn.
Unfortunately, the truck is already in use, which is a sad testament to the situation at the front.
“We also understood from the soldiers how important it is to know that their fallen comrades are being well cared for,” he explains.
Soldier Bohdan explained how crucial it is for the units to take care of their fallen soldiers. Treating the dead with dignity also affects recruitment. Bohdan further explained that several days can pass, with stage-by-stage transport from where a soldier falls to where they are identified, and then the body is transported by the freezer truck to a funeral home and then home to the soldier’s family and final resting place.
Increasingly Younger Soldiers
“At the war cemetery Field of Mars we truly felt the reality of the war. We saw that the graves kept multiplying, and sadly, many of the fallen were very young. The pictures on the graves make it all very personal and close. It was a powerful reminder of how brutal this war is,” says Sjur.
Field of Mars has become a symbolic place where many Ukrainian soldiers who have lost their lives in the war are buried.
“It was especially moving to see how many new graves had appeared since I was there in August,” says Jahn.
Need for More Support
“We are back in safe Norway now, but it’s clear that the need for help is far from over. There is still a need for more support, especially for more freezer trucks for various units. We hope, of course, that the need for freezer trucks will soon disappear, but until then, we must continue to support,” say Sjur and Jahn.
On Fritt Ukraina’s 41st transport, seven vehicles were delivered, including both the freezer truck and one ATV, as well as drones, medical equipment, tools, and several 3D printers. Nine people participated in the transport.
“We really encourage people to support Fritt Ukraina with what they ask for,” says Jahn. “It’s an honor for us to contribute in this way, but it’s also a bit strange to return to everyday life in safe, comfortable Norway. Ukraine is fighting for its existence, and it’s heartbreaking to think about what could happen if they don’t get the support they need to defend their homes,” says Jahn Brusdal Eriksen.
