Sam Fender has handed over the entirety of his £25k honor prize money to the MVT, which works to preserve the UK's grassroots live music spots.
The star was awarded the prize on 16 October as his new release the album was named the top album of the last 12 months.
The musician has opted to hand the money over to the MVT, in acknowledgment of the essential function small stages fulfilled in his initial steps.
"I personally couldn't be pursuing this success if it wasn't for all the gigs I did around the North East, and beyond, when I was beginning," remarked Sam Fender. "These venues are legendary, but they are struggling."
Beginning in 2023, more than 150 of these spaces have ceased operations – approximately one-sixth of the entire UK sector.
In the last year, well-known musicians such as Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its initiatives to support the industry, by adding a modest fee to their ticket costs, which benefits independent venues.
Sam Fender also took part, collecting over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to support thirty-eight local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The money helped spaces that were facing imminent closure due to difficulties stemming from flooding, fires and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, court cases and neighbor objections.
Other venues were granted monetary aid in modernizing infrastructure and sound and lighting systems that helped artists and audiences.
"The idea that funds from performances in big venues supports the local stages, where it begins for performers like me, is just sensible," Fender has commented.
The musician is among several artists to donate his honor funds to good deeds.
Back when the band earned the trophy in the year 1996 for their release the album, lead singer Jarvis Cocker declared that the band would give their prize money to the charity War Child.
In 2002, musician Ms Dynamite split her bounty across multiple organizations, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.
"Additionally, I gave a £1,000 to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was a child and they required better apparatus," she shared with a publication.
Previously, the band donated their winnings to the community center that supported their act, as well as other local music groups.
Also the 1994 recipients M People donated their winnings to a MS organization after a close contact was diagnosed the illness.
"Receiving the award was quite enough," remarked vocalist Heather Small. "The money was the extra but we could do without the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our victory impacted another person's life."
Last week, the MVT announced it had rescued two grassroots venues in south-east England, by bringing them into public stewardship.
One venue in that area and the second in Bristol were bought under the Own Our Venues initiative, which is funded by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who acquire "stakes" in the venues.
