Sam Fender has handed over the entirety of his twenty-five thousand pound Mercury Prize prize money to the trust for venues, which works to save the Britain's independent concert spaces.
Fender was awarded the award on October 16 as his third album his work was chosen as the outstanding release of the past year.
The musician has decided to donate the funds to the trust, in acknowledgment of the essential function small stages had in his initial steps.
"I personally would not have achieved this success if it wasn't for all the gigs I played around the North East, and elsewhere, when I was starting out," said Sam Fender. "These venues are legendary, but they are facing challenges."
Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these venues have shut down – approximately 16 percent of the entire UK sector.
Over the past year, top acts like Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the trust in its attempts to support the industry, by including a small levy to their admission fees, which benefits independent venues.
He also took part, collecting over £100k on his recent tour to assist thirty-eight local spots across Britain.
The money assisted venues that were dealing with possible closure due to difficulties stemming from floods, fires and bereavements, as well as permit problems, legal disputes and sound issues.
Some locations were granted monetary aid in upgrading amenities and gear that positively impacted artists and audiences.
"The concept that money from performances in major spaces helps the smaller venues, where it all starts for artists like me, is just common sense," the star has said.
The musician is not the first artist to contribute his Mercury Prize winnings to worthy causes.
In they received the prize in 1996 for their album their work, vocalist Jarvis Cocker declared that the act would give their prize money to the non-profit War Child.
During 2002, artist she split her award across a few charities, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.
"Additionally, I contributed a grand to the center, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they required new equipment," the artist shared with the media.
In recent years, Ezra Collective contributed their prize money to the youth organization that nurtured their group, alongside other grassroots music organisations.
Also 1994 winners M People donated their award to a MS organization after a acquaintance was diagnosed the disease.
"The victory was sufficient," remarked artist the singer. "The cash was the cherry on top but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the honor. So our winning touched another person's life."
Last week, the Music Venues Trust announced it had rescued several small stages in the South East, by transferring them to public stewardship.
One venue in Southampton and The Croft in the city were bought under the public acquisition scheme, which is supported by Arts Council England and music fans who acquire "shares" in the properties.
