Sam Fender has donated the complete sum of his twenty-five thousand pound Mercury Prize prize money to the trust for venues, which functions to save the UK's grassroots music venues.
The star was presented with the award on October 16 as his latest record the album was chosen as the top album of the past year.
Fender has chosen to donate the funds to the trust, in acknowledgment of the vital role local spots had in his early career.
"I personally would not have achieved my current career if it weren't for all the shows I did around the area, and beyond, when I was starting out," said Fender. "These spaces are renowned, but they are facing challenges."
Beginning in 2023, more than 150 of these locations have permanently closed – about 16% of the entire UK sector.
In the last year, major artists like the band Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the trust in its efforts to help venues survive, by applying a modest fee to their admission fees, which benefits smaller concert halls.
Sam Fender also took part, collecting over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to support 38 small stages across Britain.
These funds helped spaces that were facing possible closure due to difficulties stemming from floods, fire incidents and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and neighbor objections.
Some locations were granted monetary aid in modernizing infrastructure and sound and lighting systems that helped artists and fans.
"The concept that revenue from concerts in large arenas helps the independent spots, where it begins for performers like me, is just sensible," the star has commented.
The musician is not the first artist to donate his honor prize money to charitable organizations.
When the band earned the award in the mid-90s for their album Different Class, frontman Jarvis Cocker stated that the group would contribute their cash to the non-profit the charity.
In 2002, musician Ms Dynamite shared her award between a few organizations, including the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.
"Additionally, I gave a £1,000 to the center, to their classes, because I trained in gymnastics when I was a child and they needed updated gear," the artist shared with outlets.
Two years ago, the band donated their funds to the community center that developed their group, as well as other grassroots music organisations.
Additionally the 1994 recipients M People gave their award to a charity for MS after a friend was found to have the illness.
"Receiving the award was quite enough," remarked singer Heather Small. "The money was the cherry on top but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the main prize. So our victory impacted another person's life."
Last week, the Music Venues Trust shared it had rescued two small stages in the South East, by placing them under public stewardship.
The first in Southampton and The Croft in the city were bought under the community ownership scheme, which is backed by the arts council and supporters who purchase "ownership units" in the buildings.
