Sam Fender has handed over the complete sum of his twenty-five thousand pound Mercury Prize cash to the trust for venues, which works to preserve the UK's independent live music spots.
Fender was given the award on mid-October as his latest record his work was declared the best record of the last 12 months.
The musician has decided to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in acknowledgment of the vital role small stages played in his initial steps.
"I couldn't be pursuing what I am doing today if it weren't for all the performances I performed around the North East, and further afield, when I was just getting going," stated the artist. "These venues are iconic, but they are struggling."
From early 2023 onward, over 150 of these locations have permanently closed – approximately 16% of the total UK scene.
In the last year, major artists like Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by adding a modest fee to their ticket prices, which benefits smaller concert halls.
Sam Fender also took part, generating more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to help numerous small stages across Britain.
The money assisted locations that were facing possible closure due to issues arising from water damage, fires and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and neighbor objections.
Other venues received funding support in upgrading amenities and gear that helped performers and concertgoers.
"The concept that funds from performances in big venues backs the local stages, where it begins for musicians like me, is just sensible," Sam Fender has commented.
The musician is among several artists to donate his honor prize money to worthy causes.
In the band won the prize in 1996 for their record Different Class, lead singer Jarvis Cocker stated that the band would give their prize money to the non-profit the charity.
In 2002, rapper and singer the artist divided her prize among a few charities, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"I also donated a grand to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I trained in gymnastics when I was younger and they required updated gear," Ms Dynamite explained to outlets.
Two years ago, they donated their funds to the youth organization that nurtured their act, alongside other grassroots music organisations.
And winners that year the group donated their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was identified with the disease.
"Winning was sufficient," remarked singer the singer. "The prize was the bonus but we didn't need the extra, because we had the cake. So our winning affected the lives of others."
Last week, the trust shared it had protected several small stages in that region, by bringing them into public stewardship.
One venue in Southampton and the other in that location were bought under the Own Our Venues initiative, which is supported by Arts Council England and supporters who acquire "stakes" in the venues.
