Sam Fender has given the full amount of his twenty-five thousand pound Mercury Prize winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to protect the Britain's independent concert spaces.
Fender was presented with the prize on October 16 as his latest record the album was named the outstanding release of the previous year.
He has decided to give the cash to the trust, in appreciation of the vital role grassroots venues fulfilled in his early career.
"I personally would not have achieved this success if it weren't for all the shows I did around the North East, and elsewhere, when I was beginning," stated Sam Fender. "These locations are renowned, but they are struggling."
Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these locations have permanently closed – approximately 16% of the total UK scene.
Over the past year, major artists like the band Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to keep the scene afloat, by applying a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which benefits independent venues.
Sam Fender also joined in, generating more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to support 38 small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The donation helped spaces that were facing imminent closure due to challenges stemming from floods, fires and family tragedies, as well as permit problems, conflicts and sound issues.
Other venues were granted financial assistance in improving infrastructure and gear that helped artists and concertgoers.
"The concept that funds from concerts in large arenas supports the local stages, where it all starts for performers like me, is just common sense," Sam Fender has commented.
Fender is not the first artist to give his honor prize money to charitable organizations.
When they earned the award in the year 1996 for their record the album, vocalist the singer stated that the group would contribute their winnings to the charity War Child.
During 2002, rapper and singer the artist shared her bounty across multiple good causes, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"Additionally, I donated a grand to my local community centre, to their gymnastics program, because I trained in gymnastics when I was younger and they needed updated gear," the artist told a publication.
Previously, they gave their prize money to the community center that nurtured their band, alongside other local music groups.
And 1994 winners M People contributed their winnings to a charity for MS after a acquaintance was diagnosed the illness.
"The victory was sufficient," stated artist Small. "The cash was the bonus but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the cake. So our victory affected the lives of others."
Last week, the MVT shared it had rescued two local spots in that region, by transferring them to public stewardship.
The Joiners in Southampton and the other in that location were acquired under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is backed by a national body and supporters who purchase "stakes" in the venues.
