Sam Fender has donated the entirety of his twenty-five thousand pound Mercury Prize cash to the MVT, which functions to save the United Kingdom's small concert spaces.
The star was given the cheque on 16 October as his new release his work was declared the best record of the last 12 months.
Fender has decided to hand the money over to the trust, in recognition of the essential function small stages played in his early career.
"I personally wouldn't be doing this success if it weren't for all the shows I performed around the North East, and further afield, when I was beginning," stated the artist. "These spaces are iconic, but they are struggling."
From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these locations have ceased operations – about 16% of the total UK scene.
Over the past year, top acts including Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the trust in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by including a minor surcharge to their ticket costs, which benefits independent venues.
Sam Fender also participated, raising in excess of £100,000 on his recent tour to support numerous grassroots venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.
These funds helped locations that were dealing with potential shutdown due to difficulties stemming from water damage, fires and family tragedies, as well as permit problems, legal disputes and neighbor objections.
Some locations were granted monetary aid in improving infrastructure and gear that positively impacted performers and fans.
"The notion that revenue from shows in major spaces supports the independent spots, where it all starts for artists like me, is just common sense," Sam Fender has said.
He is far from the only musician to contribute his award funds to charitable organizations.
In they received the trophy in the year 1996 for their record the album, vocalist the singer stated that the band would give their prize money to the organization the charity.
In 2002, rapper and singer Ms Dynamite shared her prize across several charities, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"Additionally, I contributed a £1,000 to my local community centre, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked new equipment," the artist shared with outlets.
Previously, they gave their prize money to the community center that developed their act, in addition to other grassroots music organisations.
And winners that year the group donated their award to a charity for MS after a friend was diagnosed the disease.
"Winning was ample," stated vocalist Small. "The prize was the bonus but we didn't need the extra, because we had the main prize. So our victory affected another person's life."
Last week, the Music Venues Trust announced it had saved several local spots in the South East, by placing them under public stewardship.
The Joiners in that area and The Croft in that location were acquired under the Own Our Venues program, which is funded by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who purchase "stakes" in the venues.
