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Sam Fender has donated the entirety of his twenty-five thousand pound honor cash to the MVT, which operates to protect the Britain's grassroots concert spaces.

Fender was awarded the prize on 16 October as his third album his work was chosen as the top album of the last 12 months.

He has opted to donate the funds to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the crucial part small stages fulfilled in his beginning days.

"I personally wouldn't be doing this success if it hadn't been for all the shows I performed around the region, and further afield, when I was beginning," stated the artist. "These spaces are legendary, but they are struggling."

Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these spaces have permanently closed – approximately 16% of the entire UK sector.

Recently, major artists including Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its initiatives to help venues survive, by adding a small levy to their ticket prices, which benefits local stages.

He also joined in, generating in excess of £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to support 38 small stages across the UK.

These funds assisted venues that were confronting possible closure due to challenges arising from floods, blazes and family tragedies, as well as regulatory hurdles, court cases and neighbor objections.

Additional spaces received monetary aid in upgrading infrastructure and sound and lighting systems that directly benefitted artists and audiences.

"The notion that funds from shows in big venues backs 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 winnings to charitable organizations.

When they received the award in the mid-90s for their release their work, frontman the singer stated that the act would contribute their cash to the non-profit War Child.

During 2002, artist Ms Dynamite divided her bounty between multiple charities, such as the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.

"And I donated a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they needed new equipment," Ms Dynamite explained to a publication.

Two years ago, they gave their winnings to the local youth club that supported their act, alongside other grassroots music organisations.

And 1994 winners the group contributed their award to a charity for MS after a friend was diagnosed the illness.

"Winning was sufficient," remarked artist the singer. "The cash was the cherry on top but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the cake. So our victory impacted the lives of others."

Last week, the Music Venues Trust announced it had rescued several small stages in that region, by bringing them into public stewardship.

The Joiners in the city and the second in that location were purchased under the community ownership program, which is supported by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who buy "stakes" in the venues.