Sam Fender has given the full amount of his twenty-five thousand pound award prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which works to protect the Britain's independent live music spots.
He was awarded the prize on 16 October as his latest record his work was chosen as the top album of the previous year.
Fender has opted to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the crucial part local spots fulfilled in his beginning days.
"I couldn't be pursuing what I am doing today if it wasn't for all the gigs I performed around the area, and further afield, when I was just getting going," stated Sam Fender. "These venues are renowned, but they are struggling."
Beginning in 2023, more than 150 of these venues have shut down – roughly 16 percent of the entire UK sector.
In the last year, well-known musicians including Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its efforts to support the industry, by applying a modest fee to their ticket prices, which goes to help local stages.
Sam Fender also joined in, collecting over £100k on his recent tour to help 38 small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The money supported venues that were facing imminent closure due to challenges caused by flooding, blazes and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, court cases and noise complaints.
Additional spaces received financial assistance in improving infrastructure and gear that positively impacted performers and fans.
"The idea that funds from concerts in large arenas helps the independent spots, where it begins for artists like me, is just common sense," Fender has stated.
He is among several artists to donate his award prize money to worthy causes.
When Pulp received the prize in 1996 for their album the album, vocalist the singer announced that the act would donate their cash to the organization War Child.
In 2002, musician Ms Dynamite shared her bounty among multiple good causes, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"Additionally, I donated a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I practiced gymnastics when I was a child and they lacked new equipment," the artist explained to the media.
Previously, they gave their winnings to the youth organization that nurtured their band, in addition to other local music groups.
And winners that year they contributed their prize to a charity for MS after a friend was identified with the condition.
"The victory was ample," said artist Heather Small. "The prize was the bonus but we could do without the cherry, because we had the honor. So our winning affected another person's life."
In the past week, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had saved several grassroots venues in south-east England, by transferring them to community ownership.
One venue in the city and the other in Bristol were bought under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is backed by Arts Council England and music fans who purchase "ownership units" in the venues.
