Sam Fender has donated the entirety of his twenty-five thousand pound award cash to the MVT, which operates to save the United Kingdom's small live music spots.
Fender was awarded the award on mid-October as his new release his work was chosen as the outstanding release of the past year.
The musician has chosen to give the cash to the MVT, in appreciation of the crucial part grassroots venues fulfilled in his beginning days.
"I would not have achieved this success if it weren't for all the gigs I did around the North East, and further afield, when I was just getting going," stated the artist. "These venues are renowned, but they are in difficulty."
Beginning in 2023, over 150 of these locations have ceased operations – about 16 percent of the whole industry in the UK.
In the last year, well-known musicians like Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its initiatives to help venues survive, by adding a small levy to their admission fees, which benefits independent venues.
He also participated, raising more than £100,000 on his recent tour to assist 38 small stages across the UK.
These funds helped venues that were dealing with imminent closure due to challenges stemming from water damage, fire incidents and family tragedies, as well as regulatory hurdles, conflicts and sound issues.
Additional spaces were granted funding support in upgrading amenities and gear that helped musicians and audiences.
"The concept that funds from concerts in large arenas backs the independent spots, where it all starts for musicians like me, is just common sense," Fender has stated.
The musician is among several artists to give his honor prize money to charitable organizations.
Back when Pulp won the trophy in the year 1996 for their album Different Class, frontman Cocker announced that the act would give their prize money to the organization War Child.
During 2002, rapper and singer she shared her award between multiple charities, such as the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"And I contributed a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they required updated gear," she told a publication.
Two years ago, they gave their prize money to the local youth club that developed their act, as well as other local music groups.
Additionally the 1994 recipients M People contributed their prize to a charity for MS after a close contact was found to have the disease.
"Receiving the award was sufficient," said vocalist Small. "The cash was the extra but we didn't need the extra, because we had the honor. So our winning touched the lives of others."
Last week, the MVT announced it had rescued two grassroots venues in that region, by transferring them to public stewardship.
The first in that area and The Croft in that location were acquired under the community ownership program, which is supported by a national body and enthusiasts who purchase "shares" in the venues.
