Sam Fender has donated the entirety of his £25k Mercury Prize winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which works to save the Britain's small live music spots.
The star was given the award on October 16 as his third album his work was named the top album of the previous year.
He has decided to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in recognition of the crucial part small stages fulfilled in his initial steps.
"As an artist couldn't be pursuing what I am doing today if it hadn't been for all the gigs I performed around the North East, and beyond, when I was just getting going," stated Fender. "These venues are iconic, but they are facing challenges."
Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these locations have ceased operations – about 16 percent of the entire UK sector.
Recently, major artists including the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its attempts to keep the scene afloat, by applying a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which benefits local stages.
Sam Fender also took part, collecting in excess of £100,000 on his live tour to help 38 grassroots venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The donation helped venues that were confronting potential shutdown due to difficulties arising from flooding, fires and family tragedies, as well as regulatory hurdles, court cases and sound issues.
Other venues were granted financial assistance in upgrading facilities and gear that helped musicians and fans.
"The idea that money from shows in large arenas supports the independent spots, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just common sense," the star has commented.
Fender is among several artists to give his award prize money to charitable organizations.
Back when Pulp won the trophy in the year 1996 for their record their work, lead singer Cocker stated that the band would donate their winnings to the organization War Child.
During 2002, musician the artist divided her award across several charities, such as the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.
"Additionally, I donated a thousand pounds to my local community centre, to their gymnastics class, because I trained in gymnastics when I was growing up and they lacked new equipment," she told a publication.
In recent years, the band donated their prize money to the local youth club that nurtured their band, alongside other local music groups.
Additionally 1994 winners they donated their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was diagnosed the illness.
"Receiving the award was sufficient," stated singer the singer. "The prize was the bonus but we didn't require the cherry, because we had the cake. So our success affected another person's life."
Last week, the MVT shared it had saved two grassroots venues in the South East, by transferring them to public stewardship.
The first in Southampton and the other in the city were acquired under the community ownership program, which is supported by a national body and supporters who purchase "shares" in the properties.
