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The artist has given the complete sum of his twenty-five thousand pound Mercury Prize prize money to the MVT, which operates to protect the United Kingdom's independent concert spaces.

Fender was presented with the award on 16 October as his third album his work was named the top album of the past year.

He has decided to hand the money over to the trust, in recognition of the essential function small stages fulfilled in his early career.

"I couldn't be pursuing my current career if it wasn't for all the performances I played around the North East, and beyond, when I was starting out," remarked the artist. "These venues are legendary, but they are facing challenges."

From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these venues have shut down – about 16 percent of the total UK scene.

Recently, major artists such as Pulp, the group Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its efforts to help venues survive, by including a modest fee to their admission fees, which benefits local stages.

Sam Fender also participated, generating in excess of £100,000 on his recent tour to help numerous local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The money assisted locations that were dealing with possible closure due to issues arising from water damage, fires and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, court cases and sound issues.

Other venues obtained financial assistance in modernizing amenities and sound and lighting systems that positively impacted performers and audiences.

"The notion that money from performances in big venues backs the independent spots, where it all starts for musicians like me, is just logical," Fender has said.

He is far from the only musician to contribute his honor prize money to charitable organizations.

Back when Pulp received the award in 1996 for their record their work, vocalist the singer announced that the act would give their cash to the non-profit War Child.

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

"I also contributed a grand to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I practiced gymnastics when I was a child and they lacked updated gear," she explained to a publication.

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

Also 1994 winners M People donated their winnings to a charity for MS after a close contact was identified with the illness.

"Winning was ample," stated vocalist Heather Small. "The prize was the extra but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the cake. So our victory touched somebody else's life."

Recently, the MVT revealed it had protected a couple of grassroots venues in that region, by placing them under local control.

One venue in that area and the second in the city were acquired under the public acquisition initiative, which is supported by a national body and music fans who purchase "shares" in the venues.