United to win: Mayor of Norwegian city Sokndal raises ₴540,000 for Ukrainian army by traveling by bicycle

The mayor of the Norwegian city of Sokndal, Jonas Andersen Sayed, made an 11-day cycling tour to the village of Zaliztsi in Ukraine's western Ternopil region, during which he raised 545,000 hryvnias for the needs of the Ukrainian military, the Norwegian broadcaster NRK reports.

What is the problem?

In an open war, Ukraine needs colossal funds to finance the army. In addition to the state that buys everything necessary for the military, thousands of people in the world care about the events in Ukraine and volunteer, conduct charity events, and raise funds in other ways for Ukrainian defenders.

What is the solution?

Andersen cycled from Sokndal to Zaliztsi, which became sister cities after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Along with him went a car, which was transferred by the Norwegian initiative Biler til Ukraina ("Cars for Ukraine") for the needs of the Armed Forces.

How does it work?

With the funds raised during the last bicycle tour, Andersen, together with the head of the Zaliztsi community, purchased two Mavic drones, computer equipment for artillery, tablets, a thermal imager, and a generator.

According to reports, the purchased items were already handed over to the Ukrainian military, who were satisfied with such gifts. This is Andersen's fourth bicycle trip to Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion. During each of them, he collected money to help the Ukrainian military.

After the first trip, the Sokndal mayor collected about half a million hryvnias. This money helped a Ukrainian soldier who is currently undergoing rehabilitation in Germany. 

Rubryka reported that a British man raised $25,000 for Ukraine by cycling from London to Lviv.

Rubryka also reported that even though since the beginning of 2023, Ukrainians began to donate less for defense needs, a record was set in June, when almost half of all donations since the beginning of the year were collected.