Sam Fender has given the full amount of his £25k honor winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which works to protect the United Kingdom's independent live music spots.
He was awarded the cheque on mid-October as his latest record the album was chosen as the best record of the last 12 months.
Fender has chosen to donate the funds to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the vital role local spots fulfilled in his initial steps.
"I personally wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if it wasn't for all the performances I played around the area, and beyond, when I was beginning," stated Sam Fender. "These spaces are iconic, but they are in difficulty."
Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these locations have ceased operations – about 16% of the total UK scene.
Recently, top acts like Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the trust in its efforts to keep the scene afloat, by adding a modest fee to their ticket prices, which benefits smaller concert halls.
Sam Fender also took part, raising over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to support 38 small stages across the UK.
The money helped spaces that were facing possible closure due to difficulties caused by water damage, blazes and bereavements, as well as regulatory hurdles, court cases and neighbor objections.
Other venues were granted funding support in modernizing facilities and sound and lighting systems that helped musicians and fans.
"The idea that money from concerts in big venues supports the local stages, where it begins for performers like me, is just sensible," the star has stated.
The musician is far from the only musician to donate his award funds to worthy causes.
When Pulp earned the trophy in the year 1996 for their album their work, lead singer Jarvis Cocker declared that the band would contribute their prize money to the charity War Child.
During 2002, musician the artist shared her prize between a few good causes, including the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"I also contributed a grand to my local community centre, to their gymnastics class, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they lacked updated gear," the artist told a publication.
Two years ago, Ezra Collective donated their prize money to the youth organization that nurtured their act, in addition to other grassroots music organisations.
Also 1994 winners M People gave their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was identified with the illness.
"The victory was quite enough," said singer Small. "The cash was the bonus but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our winning affected somebody else's life."
Recently, the trust announced it had saved two local spots in the South East, by bringing them into local control.
The Joiners in Southampton and the second in Bristol were bought under the community ownership program, which is supported by the arts council and enthusiasts who acquire "ownership units" in the buildings.
