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Sam Fender has given the full amount of his £25,000 honor prize money to the trust for venues, which functions to protect the United Kingdom's grassroots music venues.

The star was presented with the award on 16 October as his new release the album was declared the best record of the previous year.

Fender has decided to give the cash to the MVT, in recognition of the essential function small stages had in his beginning days.

"As an artist couldn't be pursuing what I am doing today if it wasn't for all the gigs I played around the area, and elsewhere, when I was just getting going," said Fender. "These venues are iconic, but they are struggling."

Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these spaces have ceased operations – about 16% of the entire UK sector.

Recently, major artists including Pulp, the group Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its initiatives to support the industry, by adding a small levy to their ticket prices, which supports independent venues.

He also participated, collecting in excess of £100,000 on his live tour to assist thirty-eight local spots across Britain.

The money helped spaces that were dealing with imminent closure due to challenges stemming from flooding, fires and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and noise complaints.

Other venues obtained funding support in improving amenities and sound and lighting systems that positively impacted performers and fans.

"The notion that revenue from shows in major spaces backs the independent spots, where it all starts for artists like me, is just sensible," the star has commented.

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

When the band won the trophy in the mid-90s for their album Different Class, lead singer the singer stated that the band would contribute their winnings to the non-profit War Child.

That year, musician she split her award among a few good causes, such as the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"Additionally, I contributed a grand to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I trained in gymnastics when I was growing up and they needed new equipment," Ms Dynamite shared with outlets.

Previously, they contributed their funds to the community center that nurtured their group, alongside other grassroots music organisations.

Also the 1994 recipients M People contributed their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was diagnosed the condition.

"Receiving the award was ample," stated artist Heather Small. "The prize was the bonus but we could do without the extra, because we had the honor. So our winning touched the lives of others."

Recently, the trust shared it had saved a couple of local spots in the South East, by transferring them to community ownership.

The first in Southampton and The Croft in the city were acquired under the community ownership initiative, which is supported by Arts Council England and music fans who acquire "shares" in the venues.