Sam Fender has handed over the entirety of his twenty-five thousand pound award winnings to the trust for venues, which operates to save the Britain's small music venues.
Fender was given the prize on October 16 as his latest record the album was chosen as the best record of the last 12 months.
Fender has opted to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the crucial part local spots played in his initial steps.
"I personally couldn't be pursuing my current career if it weren't for all the performances I did around the area, and beyond, when I was beginning," remarked Sam Fender. "These venues are iconic, but they are facing challenges."
Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these venues have shut down – approximately one-sixth of the entire UK sector.
Recently, major artists including Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the trust in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by adding a small levy to their ticket costs, which benefits smaller concert halls.
Sam Fender also participated, raising over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to support numerous local spots across Britain.
The donation helped spaces that were confronting imminent closure due to issues arising from water damage, fire incidents and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and neighbor objections.
Some locations obtained funding support in upgrading amenities and gear that directly benefitted musicians and concertgoers.
"The idea that funds from concerts in major spaces supports the local stages, where it all starts for musicians like me, is just sensible," Fender has commented.
He is far from the only musician to give his honor prize money to worthy causes.
Back when the band won the prize in the year 1996 for their record the album, vocalist Jarvis Cocker declared that the band would contribute their winnings to the organization War Child.
During 2002, musician she shared her award among several good causes, such as the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"I also donated a £1,000 to the center, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was growing up and they needed new equipment," the artist told outlets.
In recent years, the band contributed their winnings to the community center that developed their band, alongside other local music groups.
Additionally the 1994 recipients the group donated their prize to a MS organization after a friend was identified with the illness.
"Receiving the award was ample," said singer Heather Small. "The cash was the extra but we didn't require the extra, because we had the main prize. So our victory impacted the lives of others."
Recently, the Music Venues Trust announced it had protected two local spots in south-east England, by placing them under public stewardship.
One venue in the city and the second in the city were acquired under the public acquisition scheme, which is backed by the arts council and enthusiasts who purchase "ownership units" in the buildings.
