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The artist has given the complete sum of his £25k Mercury Prize prize money to the MVT, which operates to protect the United Kingdom's independent music venues.

Fender was given the prize on mid-October as his latest record the album was named the top album of the past year.

He has opted to give the cash to the trust, in recognition of the crucial part grassroots venues played in his initial steps.

"I couldn't be pursuing what I am doing today if it weren't for all the performances I played around the North East, and beyond, when I was just getting going," stated Sam Fender. "These venues are iconic, but they are in difficulty."

From early 2023 onward, over 150 of these venues have permanently closed – approximately 16 percent of the whole industry in the UK.

Over the past year, top acts like Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to support the industry, by including a modest fee to their ticket prices, which goes to help smaller concert halls.

He also joined in, collecting over £100k on his live tour to help 38 small stages across the UK.

The money supported spaces that were dealing with potential shutdown due to difficulties arising from water damage, fires and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and noise complaints.

Some locations were granted monetary aid in improving amenities and technical equipment that helped artists and audiences.

"The notion that money from shows in major spaces helps the local stages, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just sensible," Fender has stated.

He is among several artists to give his award funds to good deeds.

In the band received the trophy in the mid-90s for their record their work, lead singer the singer declared that the act would donate their prize money to the non-profit the charity.

In 2002, rapper and singer Ms Dynamite split her award between several good causes, such as the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.

"I also gave a grand to the center, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they lacked better apparatus," the artist explained to a publication.

In recent years, the band contributed their prize money to the youth organization that nurtured their band, alongside other local music groups.

Also winners that year they donated their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was found to have the condition.

"Receiving the award was ample," remarked singer Small. "The prize was the extra but we could do without the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our victory impacted the lives of others."

In the past week, the MVT announced it had protected a couple of grassroots venues in the South East, by transferring them to local control.

One venue in Southampton and the other in the city were purchased under the community ownership program, which is backed by a national body and enthusiasts who acquire "shares" in the venues.