Sam Fender has handed over the entirety of his twenty-five thousand pound honor winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to protect the United Kingdom's independent music venues.
The star was awarded the cheque on October 16 as his third album the album was chosen as the top album of the last 12 months.
Fender has opted to give the cash to the MVT, in recognition of the essential function grassroots venues had in his initial steps.
"As an artist wouldn't be doing my current career if it hadn't been for all the shows I performed around the North East, and beyond, when I was beginning," said the artist. "These locations are iconic, but they are facing challenges."
From early 2023 onward, over 150 of these spaces have permanently closed – roughly 16% of the whole industry in the UK.
Over the past year, well-known musicians including Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its initiatives to support the industry, by applying a modest fee to their ticket costs, which goes to help smaller concert halls.
Sam Fender also participated, collecting in excess of £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to help numerous small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.
These funds supported locations that were confronting possible closure due to issues stemming from flooding, blazes and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and sound issues.
Some locations received financial assistance in improving facilities and technical equipment that positively impacted musicians and fans.
"The idea that money from concerts in big venues helps the independent spots, where it begins for musicians like me, is just logical," the star has said.
Fender is far from the only musician to contribute his honor funds to good deeds.
In they received the trophy in the mid-90s for their record the album, lead singer the singer announced that the band would contribute their cash to the non-profit War Child.
During 2002, artist Ms Dynamite split her bounty among several good causes, such as the children's charity and a Sickle Cell organization.
"And I contributed a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I trained in gymnastics when I was growing up and they required better apparatus," she shared with outlets.
Previously, they gave their prize money to the youth organization that nurtured their group, alongside other grassroots music organisations.
Additionally 1994 winners they gave their prize to a charity for MS after a acquaintance was diagnosed the condition.
"Winning was sufficient," said vocalist Heather Small. "The money was the cherry on top but we could do without the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our winning affected somebody else's life."
Recently, the MVT revealed it had saved two small stages in south-east England, by bringing them into community ownership.
One venue in that area and the other in the city were bought under the public acquisition initiative, which is supported by a national body and music fans who acquire "ownership units" in the venues.
