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The artist has given the entirety of his £25,000 honor prize money to the trust for venues, which works to preserve the Britain's small music venues.

He was awarded the cheque on October 16 as his new release his work was declared the best record of the past year.

Fender has decided to hand the money over to the trust, in appreciation of the essential function grassroots venues fulfilled in his initial steps.

"I wouldn't be doing my current career if it hadn't been for all the gigs I performed around the region, and further afield, when I was beginning," said Sam Fender. "These spaces are iconic, but they are struggling."

From early 2023 onward, more than 150 of these locations have permanently closed – roughly 16 percent of the whole industry in the UK.

In the last year, well-known musicians including Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the trust in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by applying a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which goes to help local stages.

Fender also took part, raising in excess of £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to support numerous local spots across Britain.

The donation supported locations that were facing potential shutdown due to challenges caused by floods, fires and family tragedies, as well as permit problems, legal disputes and noise complaints.

Other venues obtained monetary aid in modernizing amenities and sound and lighting systems that helped musicians and audiences.

"The concept that money from concerts in large arenas helps the smaller venues, where it begins for musicians like me, is just logical," Sam Fender has said.

The musician is far from the only musician to donate his award prize money to charitable organizations.

Back when Pulp received the trophy in the year 1996 for their release their work, lead singer Jarvis Cocker stated that the act would give their cash to the charity War Child.

That year, rapper and singer the artist divided her bounty between multiple organizations, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"I also donated a £1,000 to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they needed updated gear," the artist told a publication.

Two years ago, Ezra Collective gave their funds to the local youth club that developed their group, alongside other independent music bodies.

Additionally winners that year they contributed their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was found to have the illness.

"Winning was sufficient," said singer the singer. "The cash was the bonus but we could do without the cherry, because we had the cake. So our success affected another person's life."

In the past week, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had rescued a couple of grassroots venues in that region, by placing them under local control.

The Joiners in that area and the other in that location were purchased under the public acquisition program, which is funded by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who purchase "ownership units" in the buildings.