Sam Fender has handed over the complete sum of his twenty-five thousand pound Mercury Prize prize money to the trust for venues, which works to preserve the Britain's grassroots music venues.
Fender was given the prize on October 16 as his third album the album was named the top album of the last 12 months.
The musician has opted to donate the funds to the Music Venues Trust, in recognition of the crucial part local spots had in his initial steps.
"I couldn't be pursuing my current career if it weren't for all the shows I played around the North East, and further afield, when I was just getting going," remarked Fender. "These spaces are renowned, but they are in difficulty."
From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these locations have ceased operations – roughly 16% of the whole industry in the UK.
Over the past year, top acts including Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to support the industry, by applying a modest fee to their ticket prices, which goes to help independent venues.
Fender also took part, raising over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to support numerous grassroots venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The money helped venues that were dealing with imminent closure due to issues caused by floods, fires and family tragedies, as well as permit problems, court cases and sound issues.
Other venues received financial assistance in improving infrastructure and sound and lighting systems that helped artists and audiences.
"The concept that money from shows in big venues helps the local stages, where it begins for performers like me, is just logical," the star has commented.
He is far from the only musician to donate his Mercury Prize funds to worthy causes.
Back when they received the trophy in the year 1996 for their album their work, lead singer the singer announced that the group would donate their cash to the organization War Child.
In 2002, artist Ms Dynamite shared her award among multiple organizations, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.
"Additionally, I donated a grand to my local community centre, to their classes, because I trained in gymnastics when I was growing up and they lacked better apparatus," Ms Dynamite told the media.
Previously, the band contributed their prize money to the local youth club that nurtured their act, as well as other independent music bodies.
And winners that year they contributed their winnings to a MS organization after a close contact was identified with the condition.
"The victory was quite enough," stated singer the singer. "The money was the cherry on top but we didn't require the extra, because we had the honor. So our success impacted the lives of others."
In the past week, the Music Venues Trust announced it had rescued several small stages in south-east England, by bringing them into public stewardship.
One venue in that area and The Croft in that location were purchased under the public acquisition program, which is backed by a national body and enthusiasts who purchase "shares" in the buildings.
