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The star has given the full amount of his £25k Mercury Prize cash to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to protect the Britain's grassroots music venues.

Fender was given the cheque on mid-October as his new release his work was chosen as the top album of the past year.

The musician has chosen to donate the funds to the MVT, in recognition of the vital role local spots fulfilled in his early career.

"I wouldn't be doing this success if it wasn't for all the gigs I did around the area, and further afield, when I was just getting going," stated Sam Fender. "These spaces are renowned, but they are struggling."

Beginning in 2023, at least 150 of these venues have ceased operations – about 16% of the whole industry in the UK.

Recently, well-known musicians including Pulp, the group Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Sheeran have all backed the Music Venues Trust in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by adding a small levy to their ticket prices, which benefits local stages.

Fender also participated, collecting over £100k on his live tour to support 38 small stages across the UK.

The money supported venues that were facing imminent closure due to issues stemming from water damage, fires and bereavements, as well as regulatory hurdles, legal disputes and neighbor objections.

Some locations received funding support in improving amenities and gear that directly benefitted musicians and concertgoers.

"The concept that revenue from shows in big venues supports the smaller venues, where it all starts for musicians like me, is just logical," the star has commented.

The musician is among several artists to contribute his award funds to charitable organizations.

Back when Pulp received the trophy in the year 1996 for their record the album, lead singer the singer announced that the group would donate their prize money to the charity War Child.

During 2002, artist she divided her bounty among multiple organizations, including the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"I also contributed a £1,000 to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I practiced gymnastics when I was a child and they needed new equipment," the artist explained to a publication.

In recent years, the band contributed their prize money to the community center that developed their band, in addition to other local music groups.

Also 1994 winners they donated their award to a MS organization after a acquaintance was found to have the illness.

"The victory was ample," stated vocalist Small. "The prize was the bonus but we could do without the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our success affected somebody else's life."

In the past week, the MVT announced it had saved two grassroots venues in that region, by transferring them to local control.

One venue in Southampton and the second in Bristol were purchased under the public acquisition program, which is funded by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who acquire "ownership units" in the properties.