Sam Fender has handed over the complete sum of his £25k Mercury Prize prize money to the MVT, which works to preserve the United Kingdom's small music venues.
He was awarded the cheque on October 16 as his third album the album was chosen as the top album of the last 12 months.
Fender has chosen to give the cash to the MVT, in recognition of the vital role local spots had in his initial steps.
"I personally couldn't be pursuing my current career if it wasn't for all the gigs I did around the region, and beyond, when I was just getting going," remarked Sam Fender. "These spaces are legendary, but they are struggling."
Beginning in 2023, over 150 of these spaces have shut down – about one-sixth of the entire UK sector.
Over the past year, well-known musicians such as the band Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its efforts to support the industry, by adding a modest fee to their admission fees, which benefits smaller concert halls.
Sam Fender also took part, raising over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to support 38 small stages across Britain.
The money helped venues that were confronting imminent closure due to issues caused by water damage, fire incidents and bereavements, as well as permit problems, legal disputes and sound issues.
Additional spaces were granted monetary aid in modernizing infrastructure and technical equipment that directly benefitted performers and concertgoers.
"The concept that funds from concerts in large arenas supports the independent spots, where it all starts for artists like me, is just logical," the star has commented.
He is not the first artist to contribute his honor prize money to good deeds.
Back when Pulp won the award in 1996 for their release Different Class, vocalist Jarvis Cocker declared that the act would contribute their prize money to the charity the charity.
During 2002, artist Ms Dynamite divided her bounty between a few charities, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"I also gave a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I trained in gymnastics when I was growing up and they needed new equipment," Ms Dynamite told outlets.
Two years ago, the band contributed their funds to the local youth club that supported their group, as well as other independent music bodies.
And the 1994 recipients the group gave their award to a MS organization after a close contact was diagnosed the illness.
"Receiving the award was quite enough," stated singer Heather Small. "The prize was the cherry on top but we didn't require the extra, because we had the honor. So our winning affected another person's life."
Recently, the Music Venues Trust announced it had protected a couple of grassroots venues in the South East, by placing them under public stewardship.
One venue in that area and The Croft in the city were bought under the Own Our Venues initiative, which is funded by Arts Council England and music fans who purchase "ownership units" in the buildings.
