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Sam Fender has donated the full amount of his twenty-five thousand pound award prize money to the trust for venues, which operates to protect the UK's grassroots music venues.

The star was awarded the cheque on October 16 as his latest record his work was declared the best record of the previous year.

He has decided to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in acknowledgment of the vital role small stages had in his early career.

"As an artist couldn't be pursuing this success if it hadn't been for all the shows I performed around the region, and beyond, when I was starting out," stated the artist. "These venues are renowned, but they are facing challenges."

Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these venues have ceased operations – roughly 16 percent of the total UK scene.

Recently, major artists including the band Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its efforts to keep the scene afloat, by including a modest fee to their admission fees, which goes to help local stages.

Fender also joined in, raising in excess of £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to assist 38 grassroots venues across Britain.

The donation helped venues that were confronting potential shutdown due to issues stemming from water damage, fires and bereavements, as well as permit problems, court cases and sound issues.

Additional spaces were granted financial assistance in upgrading amenities and gear that positively impacted performers and concertgoers.

"The notion that revenue from performances in big venues backs the independent spots, where it all starts for artists like me, is just logical," Sam Fender has commented.

The musician is among several artists to give his Mercury Prize prize money to charitable organizations.

Back when Pulp received the trophy in the mid-90s for their album Different Class, frontman the singer stated that the group would contribute their winnings to the organization War Child.

That year, musician Ms Dynamite divided her award between multiple good causes, including the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.

"Additionally, I contributed a £1,000 to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked updated gear," Ms Dynamite explained to outlets.

Previously, the band gave their winnings to the youth organization that nurtured their band, alongside other local music groups.

Additionally 1994 winners the group gave their winnings to a MS organization after a acquaintance was identified with the illness.

"The victory was ample," remarked singer Heather Small. "The prize was the bonus but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the cake. So our success affected somebody else's life."

In the past week, the MVT shared it had saved a couple of grassroots venues in the South East, by bringing them into public stewardship.

One venue in that area and the other in the city were acquired under the public acquisition scheme, which is backed by the arts council and supporters who acquire "stakes" in the buildings.