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The artist has donated the complete sum of his twenty-five thousand pound honor cash to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to protect the UK's small concert spaces.

Fender was awarded the prize on October 16 as his third album his work was named the best record of the previous year.

He has opted to hand the money over to the trust, in recognition of the vital role grassroots venues fulfilled in his initial steps.

"As an artist would not have achieved my current career if it weren't for all the shows I played around the region, and further afield, when I was starting out," remarked Sam Fender. "These venues are renowned, but they are struggling."

Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these venues have ceased operations – approximately one-sixth of the total UK scene.

In the last year, top acts including Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its initiatives to help venues survive, by applying a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which goes to help independent venues.

Fender also took part, collecting in excess of £100,000 on his live tour to help numerous local spots across Britain.

The money helped locations that were dealing with potential shutdown due to issues caused by water damage, fire incidents and personal losses, as well as permit problems, legal disputes and sound issues.

Additional spaces were granted monetary aid in upgrading infrastructure and technical equipment that positively impacted musicians and audiences.

"The concept that revenue from concerts in big venues helps the smaller venues, where it kicks off for artists like me, is just sensible," Sam Fender has stated.

The musician is far from the only musician to give his honor winnings to worthy causes.

In the band received the prize in 1996 for their record Different Class, frontman Cocker declared that the group would give their winnings to the organization War Child.

During 2002, musician she split her prize between a few good causes, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.

"Additionally, I donated a £1,000 to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they needed new equipment," the artist explained to outlets.

Two years ago, Ezra Collective contributed their winnings to the youth organization that developed their act, alongside other independent music bodies.

Additionally 1994 winners they contributed their winnings to a MS organization after a close contact was identified with the condition.

"The victory was sufficient," remarked singer Small. "The cash was the cherry on top but we didn't require the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our success impacted somebody else's life."

Last week, the Music Venues Trust announced it had protected two small stages in south-east England, by bringing them into local control.

The first in that area and the other in the city were acquired under the Own Our Venues initiative, which is backed by the arts council and enthusiasts who acquire "ownership units" in the venues.