# Artist commits to one year of sponsored silence

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2021/09/15/artist-commits-to-one-year-of-sponsored-silence/
- Published: 2021-09-15T12:15:00+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**An artist and former personal trainer to city workers is undertaking a year-long
sponsored silence to raise funds for The Creative Mental Health Charity PoetsIN.

Sean Houlihan, known artistically as Bear Intentions, has vowed to spend 365 days“
[listening in silence](https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bear-intentions)” 
to raise £100,000 the UK charity.

## Four years of intentions

He is not stopping there though. The year of silence is the first of ‘four years
of intentions’, a series of challenges to raise money and awareness for mental, 
physical, social and environmental health conditions.

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 * In 2022 his second challenge will see the 30-year-old personal trainer, yoga 
   and meditation teacher and massage therapist “perform all his various characters
   for a year” (in aid of **Clowns Without Borders UK**)
 * In 2023 he will “carry out a year of altruism” by supporting his local community
   where it is wanted (in aid of **CREATE Charity (UK)**)
 * In 2024 he will go barefoot for the year, with the beneficiary charity to be 
   decided.

Houlihan said: “I’ve spent the last nine years travelling around the world and meeting
so many different people. My adventures have helped give me a broad perspective 
and awareness of how incredibly lucky I am to be in good health, so I have decided
to help others who are not.”

“There’s no doubt that listening in silence and refraining from talking for an entire
year is going to be incredibly tough, but if it helps others to start these conversations
then it’s worth it.”
 **SEE ALSO: Royal British Legion achieves a top 20 position
for its [two minutes silence single](http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/nov/11/remembrance-day-single-silence)
in 2010.**

Paul Chambers, co-founder and chief operating officer of the [Creative Mental Health Charity PoetsIN](http://www.poetsin.com/),
said:

“We are hugely honoured that Sean has chosen to start his Four Years of Intentions
project with us. Mental health – in the last year particularly – has become hugely
important and it’s vital we spread awareness and encourage people to recognise when
they might need a bit of added support.”

Sean will launch with the event _The Art of Tension_ on Thursday 7th October and
will start his vow of silence on his 31^(st) birthday on 8^(th) October. Tickets
are available for the event being held at Open House Hackney, E9.

## More silent fundraising

 * **[Church raises funds with the sound of silence](https://fundraising.co.uk/2012/10/22/church-raises-funds-sound-silence/)(
   22 October 2012)**
 * **[26 examples of 2.6 Challenge fundraising events](https://fundraising.co.uk/2020/04/27/26-examples-of-2-6-challenge-fundraising-events/)(
   27 April 2020)**
 * **[Silence is golden for RSL Anzac appeal](https://fundraising.co.uk/2014/05/07/silence-golden-rsl-anzac-appeal/)(
   7 May 2014)**