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The star has donated the entirety of his £25,000 award cash to the trust for venues, which works to save the Britain's grassroots music venues.

Fender was given the cheque on mid-October as his third album his work was chosen as the best record of the past year.

Fender has opted to hand the money over to the MVT, in appreciation of the crucial part small stages fulfilled in his initial steps.

"I personally couldn't be pursuing this success if it hadn't been for all the shows I played around the area, and further afield, when I was just getting going," remarked Fender. "These locations are iconic, but they are struggling."

From early 2023 onward, over 150 of these locations have shut down – approximately 16% of the whole industry in the UK.

Recently, top acts including Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the trust in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by including a modest fee to their ticket prices, which goes to help local stages.

Sam Fender also took part, generating over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to help 38 local spots across the UK.

The donation supported spaces that were confronting potential shutdown due to challenges caused by flooding, blazes and family tragedies, as well as permit problems, conflicts and noise complaints.

Other venues received funding support in modernizing infrastructure and technical equipment that positively impacted artists and fans.

"The concept that money from shows in major spaces helps the independent spots, where it begins for performers like me, is just sensible," Fender has commented.

Fender is far from the only musician to contribute his award prize money to good deeds.

Back when Pulp earned the prize in 1996 for their record their work, lead singer Jarvis Cocker stated that the group would contribute their winnings to the non-profit War Child.

In 2002, musician the artist split her award among several organizations, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"I also gave a £1,000 to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was a child and they required new equipment," she explained to a publication.

Two years ago, they contributed their prize money to the local youth club that developed their group, in addition to other independent music bodies.

And the 1994 recipients they gave their prize to a charity for MS after a acquaintance was identified with the condition.

"The victory was ample," stated singer Small. "The prize was the extra but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the cake. So our winning impacted somebody else's life."

In the past week, the MVT revealed it had protected several grassroots venues in south-east England, by bringing them into local control.

One venue in that area and the second in the city were purchased under the public acquisition program, which is funded by the arts council and enthusiasts who buy "stakes" in the venues.