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The star has donated the full amount of his £25,000 honor winnings to the trust for venues, which functions to protect the United Kingdom's small live music spots.

He was presented with the cheque on 16 October as his new release People Watching was declared the outstanding release of the past year.

Fender has chosen to donate the funds to the MVT, in recognition of the vital role local spots fulfilled in his early career.

"As an artist couldn't be pursuing what I am doing today if it weren't for all the gigs I played around the region, and elsewhere, when I was starting out," said Sam Fender. "These spaces are legendary, but they are facing challenges."

Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these locations have ceased operations – about 16 percent of the entire UK sector.

Recently, well-known musicians including Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its initiatives to help venues survive, by applying a small levy to their admission fees, which goes to help independent venues.

He also took part, generating more than £100,000 on his recent tour to help 38 grassroots venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The donation supported spaces that were dealing with potential shutdown due to issues arising from floods, fire incidents and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, court cases and neighbor objections.

Additional spaces were granted funding support in modernizing facilities and gear that positively impacted performers and audiences.

"The notion that funds from performances in major spaces helps the independent spots, where it kicks off for artists like me, is just sensible," the star has stated.

Fender is far from the only musician to donate his award prize money to worthy causes.

Back when they won the trophy in the mid-90s for their release Different Class, frontman Jarvis Cocker stated that the group would contribute their winnings to the charity War Child.

That year, rapper and singer she shared her award between several organizations, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.

"I also gave a grand to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they required new equipment," Ms Dynamite shared with the media.

Previously, Ezra Collective gave their winnings to the youth organization that developed their band, as well as other grassroots music organisations.

Additionally the 1994 recipients M People contributed their winnings to a MS organization after a acquaintance was identified with the illness.

"Winning was ample," remarked singer Heather Small. "The prize was the bonus but we didn't require the extra, because we had the cake. So our victory affected somebody else's life."

Last week, the trust revealed it had saved several local spots in that region, by transferring them to local control.

The Joiners in that area and The Croft in Bristol were bought under the public acquisition program, which is supported by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who purchase "shares" in the buildings.