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The artist has given the complete sum of his £25k award prize money to the MVT, which functions to save the United Kingdom's small concert spaces.

Fender was awarded the cheque on 16 October as his third album his work was declared the top album of the last 12 months.

He has decided to give the cash to the trust, in recognition of the vital role grassroots venues played in his early career.

"As an artist wouldn't be doing my current career if it weren't for all the performances I did around the area, and elsewhere, when I was just getting going," remarked the artist. "These spaces are renowned, but they are in difficulty."

Beginning in 2023, more than 150 of these spaces have shut down – roughly 16 percent of the entire UK sector.

In the last year, top acts like the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its efforts to help venues survive, by adding a modest fee to their ticket costs, which goes to help independent venues.

Fender also participated, collecting over £100k on his recent tour to assist thirty-eight small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The money supported venues that were confronting possible closure due to issues stemming from water damage, fire incidents and bereavements, as well as regulatory hurdles, conflicts and neighbor objections.

Additional spaces were granted funding support in modernizing amenities and technical equipment that positively impacted artists and fans.

"The concept that money from concerts in large arenas backs the smaller venues, where it all starts for musicians like me, is just common sense," Sam Fender has commented.

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

In they won the trophy in 1996 for their album their work, lead singer Jarvis Cocker declared that the band would give their prize money to the charity War Child.

That year, artist Ms Dynamite split her prize between a few good causes, including the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"I also gave a £1,000 to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was growing up and they lacked updated gear," she shared with outlets.

Previously, the band gave their winnings to the community center that supported their act, in addition to other independent music bodies.

Additionally the 1994 recipients the group donated their winnings to a MS organization after a acquaintance was diagnosed the illness.

"The victory was ample," said vocalist Heather Small. "The money was the bonus but we could do without the cherry, because we had the cake. So our winning touched the lives of others."

In the past week, the trust announced it had saved a couple of local spots in that region, by placing them under public stewardship.

The first in the city and the other in that location were bought under the public acquisition scheme, which is supported by a national body and enthusiasts who buy "shares" in the properties.