Sam Fender has donated the full amount of his twenty-five thousand pound award prize money to the MVT, which works to preserve the United Kingdom's independent music venues.
He was given the prize on October 16 as his third album the album was declared the best record of the past year.
He has opted to donate the funds to the trust, in acknowledgment of the crucial part small stages fulfilled in his initial steps.
"I personally would not have achieved what I am doing today if it hadn't been for all the shows I did around the North East, and elsewhere, when I was just getting going," stated the artist. "These spaces are iconic, but they are in difficulty."
From early 2023 onward, over 150 of these locations have ceased operations – roughly 16 percent of the total UK scene.
Recently, well-known musicians such as the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to support the industry, by applying a minor surcharge to their ticket costs, which benefits local stages.
Fender also participated, collecting more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to help numerous grassroots venues across the UK.
The money assisted locations that were dealing with potential shutdown due to issues caused by flooding, blazes and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and sound issues.
Some locations were granted funding support in modernizing facilities and technical equipment that directly benefitted performers and fans.
"The idea that revenue from shows in major spaces supports the independent spots, where it all starts for musicians like me, is just common sense," Fender has commented.
The musician is among several artists to give his award winnings to worthy causes.
Back when Pulp received the prize in the year 1996 for their album Different Class, lead singer Jarvis Cocker declared that the band would give their winnings to the charity War Child.
That year, rapper and singer she split her award across a few charities, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"Additionally, I gave a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked updated gear," Ms Dynamite explained to the media.
Two years ago, the band gave their prize money to the community center that developed their group, as well as other local music groups.
Also 1994 winners they gave their prize to a MS organization after a acquaintance was diagnosed the condition.
"The victory was quite enough," said vocalist the singer. "The money was the bonus but we could do without the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our winning affected somebody else's life."
Recently, the Music Venues Trust announced it had protected two local spots in that region, by transferring them to community ownership.
The first in the city and the other in Bristol were purchased under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is backed by the arts council and enthusiasts who acquire "stakes" in the buildings.
