Sam Fender has given the complete sum of his £25k honor prize money to the trust for venues, which works to protect the United Kingdom's small concert spaces.
Fender was awarded the cheque on October 16 as his new release his work was chosen as the best record of the past year.
He has chosen to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the crucial part grassroots venues fulfilled in his beginning days.
"As an artist would not have achieved what I am doing today if it weren't for all the gigs I did around the North East, and elsewhere, when I was just getting going," stated Sam Fender. "These locations are legendary, but they are struggling."
Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these spaces have shut down – roughly 16% of the whole industry in the UK.
Recently, major artists including Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its efforts to support the industry, by applying a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which goes to help local stages.
He also participated, generating more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to help numerous small stages across Britain.
The donation helped venues that were dealing with imminent closure due to issues stemming from flooding, fire incidents and family tragedies, as well as regulatory hurdles, conflicts and sound issues.
Some locations received financial assistance in improving facilities and technical equipment that directly benefitted artists and audiences.
"The idea that money from concerts in large arenas helps the local stages, where it begins for performers like me, is just common sense," the star has commented.
The musician is far from the only musician to contribute his honor winnings to charitable organizations.
Back when they won the award in the year 1996 for their release the album, vocalist the singer stated that the act would contribute their cash to the organization the charity.
That year, rapper and singer the artist split her bounty across several charities, like the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.
"I also contributed a thousand pounds to my local community centre, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they needed new equipment," Ms Dynamite shared with a publication.
In recent years, they contributed their prize money to the local youth club that supported their act, alongside other local music groups.
Also 1994 winners the group donated their prize to a charity for MS after a acquaintance was identified with the condition.
"The victory was ample," remarked singer Heather Small. "The money was the bonus but we could do without the cherry, because we had the cake. So our success affected the lives of others."
In the past week, the MVT announced it had protected two local spots in south-east England, by placing them under local control.
The Joiners in Southampton and the other in Bristol were acquired under the Own Our Venues initiative, which is backed by Arts Council England and music fans who purchase "shares" in the buildings.
