Sam Fender has handed over the entirety of his £25k Mercury Prize winnings to the MVT, which works to preserve the UK's grassroots music venues.
Fender was awarded the prize on 16 October as his new release his work was named the top album of the last 12 months.
He has decided to donate the funds to the trust, in acknowledgment of the crucial part local spots had in his initial steps.
"As an artist couldn't be pursuing my current career if it wasn't for all the gigs I performed around the area, and further afield, when I was starting out," remarked Sam Fender. "These spaces are iconic, but they are struggling."
From early 2023 onward, more than 150 of these spaces have permanently closed – approximately one-sixth of the entire UK sector.
In the last year, well-known musicians like Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to support the industry, by including a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which benefits smaller concert halls.
Sam Fender also took part, raising in excess of £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to assist numerous local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The donation assisted venues that were confronting possible closure due to challenges caused by flooding, blazes and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, court cases and noise complaints.
Some locations obtained financial assistance in modernizing facilities and gear that helped performers and concertgoers.
"The idea that revenue from concerts in major spaces backs the local stages, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just logical," Fender has commented.
The musician is not the first artist to donate his award winnings to worthy causes.
Back when they earned the prize in the mid-90s for their record the album, frontman the singer declared that the act would contribute their cash to the charity War Child.
In 2002, rapper and singer she split her bounty between a few organizations, such as the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.
"Additionally, I donated a grand to my local community centre, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they required better apparatus," she shared with outlets.
Two years ago, Ezra Collective gave their prize money to the community center that supported their band, as well as other independent music bodies.
Additionally 1994 winners they donated their award to a charity for MS after a close contact was identified with the condition.
"The victory was ample," remarked singer Heather Small. "The prize was the cherry on top but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the cake. So our victory impacted the lives of others."
Last week, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had rescued two small stages in the South East, by bringing them into community ownership.
The Joiners in that area and the second in the city were bought under the public acquisition initiative, which is supported by a national body and enthusiasts who acquire "shares" in the buildings.
