Sam Fender has handed over the entirety of his £25,000 Mercury Prize winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which operates to save the UK's independent music venues.
Fender was given the cheque on October 16 as his new release his work was chosen as the top album of the last 12 months.
Fender has decided to give the cash to the MVT, in appreciation of the crucial part local spots fulfilled in his initial steps.
"I personally would not have achieved my current career if it weren't for all the gigs I did around the area, and beyond, when I was beginning," stated Sam Fender. "These spaces are renowned, but they are in difficulty."
From early 2023 onward, more than 150 of these venues have ceased operations – approximately 16 percent of the total UK scene.
Recently, well-known musicians including Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the trust in its efforts to help venues survive, by applying a modest fee to their ticket costs, which supports independent venues.
Fender also took part, generating over £100k on his live tour to help thirty-eight small stages across Britain.
These funds helped locations that were confronting possible closure due to challenges stemming from water damage, blazes and personal losses, as well as regulatory hurdles, court cases and sound issues.
Some locations received funding support in modernizing infrastructure and gear that positively impacted performers and audiences.
"The concept that money from concerts in large arenas backs the independent spots, where it all starts for artists like me, is just logical," the star has said.
He is among several artists to contribute his award winnings to good deeds.
In Pulp received the trophy in the year 1996 for their album their work, vocalist Jarvis Cocker declared that the act would contribute their prize money to the charity the charity.
In 2002, rapper and singer she divided her bounty between multiple good causes, such as the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"I also donated a grand to my local community centre, to their classes, because I trained in gymnastics when I was a child and they required updated gear," the artist explained to the media.
Previously, the band contributed their prize money to the local youth club that nurtured their group, alongside other grassroots music organisations.
And the 1994 recipients M People contributed their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was identified with the condition.
"The victory was sufficient," remarked vocalist Small. "The money was the bonus but we could do without the cherry, because we had the honor. So our success impacted another person's life."
Last week, the Music Venues Trust shared it had rescued several local spots in south-east England, by bringing them into community ownership.
The first in that area and the second in the city were purchased under the Own Our Venues program, which is funded by Arts Council England and supporters who buy "shares" in the buildings.
