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The star has given the entirety of his £25k honor cash to the trust for venues, which operates to preserve the United Kingdom's independent concert spaces.

Fender was awarded the prize on October 16 as his latest record his work was chosen as the outstanding release of the last 12 months.

Fender has chosen to give the cash to the trust, in appreciation of the crucial part small stages played in his early career.

"As an artist wouldn't be doing this success if it hadn't been for all the shows I did around the area, and beyond, when I was just getting going," said Sam Fender. "These locations are legendary, but they are struggling."

From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these venues have shut down – approximately one-sixth of the entire UK sector.

In the last year, well-known musicians such as Pulp, the group Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its attempts to help venues survive, by applying a modest fee to their ticket costs, which benefits local stages.

Fender also joined in, generating more than £100,000 on his live tour to assist 38 grassroots venues across Britain.

The money helped venues that were dealing with potential shutdown due to challenges stemming from water damage, blazes and bereavements, as well as permit problems, court cases and sound issues.

Additional spaces received monetary aid in improving amenities and gear that positively impacted performers and audiences.

"The notion that money from performances in large arenas helps the independent spots, where it begins for performers like me, is just sensible," Fender has stated.

He is among several artists to donate his Mercury Prize winnings to good deeds.

When Pulp received the award in 1996 for their release their work, lead singer Jarvis Cocker declared that the act would contribute their winnings to the organization War Child.

During 2002, musician she split her prize among multiple good causes, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.

"Additionally, I gave a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked better apparatus," the artist shared with the media.

In recent years, they donated their prize money to the youth organization that nurtured their band, alongside other local music groups.

Additionally the 1994 recipients they donated their winnings to a charity for MS after a acquaintance was diagnosed the illness.

"Receiving the award was ample," stated singer the singer. "The cash was the bonus but we didn't need the extra, because we had the main prize. So our success touched somebody else's life."

Recently, the trust revealed it had protected several local spots in that region, by bringing them into local control.

One venue in Southampton and the second in that location were acquired under the community ownership program, which is backed by a national body and music fans who purchase "shares" in the venues.