Sam Fender has handed over the complete sum of his £25k Mercury Prize cash to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to save the Britain's small live music spots.
Fender was presented with the cheque on October 16 as his third album the album was named the best record of the previous year.
Fender has opted to give the cash to the trust, in recognition of the essential function grassroots venues played in his initial steps.
"I would not have achieved my current career if it hadn't been for all the performances I did around the region, and further afield, when I was beginning," stated Fender. "These locations are legendary, but they are struggling."
Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these spaces have shut down – about one-sixth of the total UK scene.
Recently, major artists such as the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the Music Venues Trust in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by applying a small levy to their ticket prices, which supports smaller concert halls.
Sam Fender also took part, generating over £100k on his live tour to assist 38 local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The money helped venues that were facing possible closure due to difficulties stemming from water damage, blazes and family tragedies, as well as regulatory hurdles, legal disputes and sound issues.
Other venues obtained financial assistance in improving infrastructure and gear that positively impacted artists and concertgoers.
"The notion that funds from concerts in big venues helps the local stages, where it begins for performers like me, is just common sense," the star has commented.
Fender is not the first artist to give his award prize money to good deeds.
Back when they won the trophy in the year 1996 for their release their work, lead singer Cocker declared that the band would contribute their winnings to the organization the charity.
In 2002, artist Ms Dynamite divided her bounty across several organizations, such as the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.
"I also contributed a grand to my local community centre, to their classes, because I practiced gymnastics when I was a child and they required better apparatus," she explained to a publication.
Previously, the band contributed their funds to the youth organization that nurtured their band, alongside other local music groups.
Additionally 1994 winners they gave their award to a MS organization after a friend was identified with the illness.
"Receiving the award was ample," said vocalist Small. "The money was the extra but we didn't need the extra, because we had the cake. So our victory affected another person's life."
Recently, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had saved a couple of local spots in south-east England, by transferring them to local control.
The Joiners in the city and the other in that location were purchased under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is funded by Arts Council England and music fans who buy "ownership units" in the buildings.
