Sam Fender has given the complete sum of his £25,000 honor cash to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to save the United Kingdom's small concert spaces.
Fender was awarded the cheque on 16 October as his latest record his work was named the best record of the last 12 months.
Fender has opted to give the cash to the trust, in appreciation of the essential function local spots fulfilled in his early career.
"I couldn't be pursuing my current career if it wasn't for all the shows I played around the area, and further afield, when I was just getting going," remarked the artist. "These venues are renowned, but they are struggling."
Beginning in 2023, more than 150 of these venues have permanently closed – approximately 16% of the whole industry in the UK.
In the last year, major artists including Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its initiatives to support the industry, by adding a small levy to their ticket costs, which supports local stages.
Fender also joined in, collecting over £100k on his live tour to assist numerous local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The donation supported spaces that were dealing with imminent closure due to challenges caused by water damage, fires and family tragedies, as well as regulatory hurdles, court cases and sound issues.
Other venues received monetary aid in upgrading infrastructure and sound and lighting systems that positively impacted musicians and audiences.
"The concept that funds from concerts in large arenas backs the local stages, where it kicks off for performers like me, is just logical," the star has stated.
Fender is far from the only musician to contribute his award winnings to good deeds.
In Pulp earned the prize in 1996 for their record their work, frontman Cocker stated that the group would give their winnings to the non-profit War Child.
In 2002, musician she split her bounty between several organizations, such as the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.
"And I contributed a grand to my local community centre, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they required new equipment," the artist explained to a publication.
Two years ago, the band contributed their funds to the youth organization that nurtured their act, in addition to other grassroots music organisations.
Also winners that year they contributed their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was diagnosed the illness.
"The victory was sufficient," remarked vocalist Heather Small. "The money was the cherry on top but we didn't need the extra, because we had the honor. So our victory affected another person's life."
Recently, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had rescued a couple of local spots in south-east England, by placing them under local control.
One venue in that area and The Croft in Bristol were bought under the community ownership program, which is funded by Arts Council England and music fans who purchase "ownership units" in the venues.
