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The artist has donated the complete sum of his £25k honor prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to preserve the United Kingdom's independent live music spots.

The star was awarded the cheque on mid-October as his new release the album was chosen as the top album of the past year.

The musician has opted to donate the funds to the MVT, in recognition of the crucial part grassroots venues fulfilled in his initial steps.

"I would not have achieved what I am doing today if it weren't for all the performances I performed around the North East, and beyond, when I was starting out," remarked Fender. "These locations are iconic, but they are in difficulty."

From early 2023 onward, more than 150 of these venues have shut down – roughly 16% of the entire UK sector.

Recently, well-known musicians like Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its attempts to support the industry, by adding a small levy to their ticket costs, which goes to help independent venues.

Fender also participated, generating over £100k on his live tour to help numerous small stages across Britain.

These funds helped spaces that were dealing with possible closure due to challenges stemming from water damage, fires and bereavements, as well as regulatory hurdles, conflicts and neighbor objections.

Other venues obtained monetary aid in upgrading amenities and gear that helped performers and audiences.

"The idea that funds from shows in major spaces supports the local stages, where it begins for musicians like me, is just logical," Sam Fender has commented.

Fender is among several artists to give his honor winnings to worthy causes.

Back when the band earned the trophy in the mid-90s for their release their work, vocalist Cocker announced that the band would donate their prize money to the non-profit War Child.

During 2002, rapper and singer she shared her award between several charities, such as the children's charity and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"Additionally, I donated a £1,000 to my local community centre, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was a child and they needed better apparatus," Ms Dynamite shared with outlets.

In recent years, they donated their prize money to the community center that nurtured their band, in addition to other grassroots music organisations.

Additionally the 1994 recipients they gave their prize to a MS organization after a acquaintance was found to have the illness.

"Receiving the award was ample," said vocalist the singer. "The cash was the cherry on top but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the main prize. So our winning impacted somebody else's life."

Last week, the trust shared it had rescued several local spots in south-east England, by bringing them into public stewardship.

One venue in Southampton and the other in Bristol were bought under the public acquisition initiative, which is funded by a national body and supporters who acquire "shares" in the properties.