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The artist has handed over the complete sum of his twenty-five thousand pound Mercury Prize winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to protect the UK's independent music venues.

He was presented with the award on 16 October as his latest record the album was chosen as the outstanding release of the previous year.

The musician has opted to donate the funds to the MVT, in appreciation of the crucial part grassroots venues played in his beginning days.

"As an artist would not have achieved this success if it wasn't for all the performances I performed around the North East, and further afield, when I was just getting going," said Sam Fender. "These spaces are legendary, but they are facing challenges."

From early 2023 onward, more than 150 of these venues have ceased operations – roughly 16% of the whole industry in the UK.

Recently, top acts like the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all backed the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to support the industry, by including a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which goes to help smaller concert halls.

Fender also took part, collecting over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to assist thirty-eight grassroots venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.

These funds supported spaces that were confronting possible closure due to difficulties caused by floods, fires and personal losses, as well as regulatory hurdles, conflicts and noise complaints.

Other venues were granted funding support in improving amenities and technical equipment that helped performers and concertgoers.

"The concept that money from performances in large arenas supports the local stages, where it all starts for performers like me, is just common sense," the star has said.

The musician is far from the only musician to contribute his award funds to worthy causes.

Back when the band earned the prize in the year 1996 for their release the album, lead singer Cocker stated that the act would donate their prize money to the non-profit War Child.

That year, musician she split her prize between multiple organizations, including the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"I also contributed a £1,000 to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I trained in gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked updated gear," the artist told a publication.

Previously, they contributed their winnings to the local youth club that developed their band, alongside other independent music bodies.

Also 1994 winners M People gave their award to a MS organization after a friend was diagnosed the condition.

"The victory was ample," stated singer Heather Small. "The cash was the bonus but we didn't require the extra, because we had the main prize. So our victory affected another person's life."

Last week, the Music Venues Trust shared it had protected a couple of grassroots venues in the South East, by transferring them to public stewardship.

The Joiners in the city and The Croft in that location were acquired under the community ownership program, which is funded by the arts council and enthusiasts who acquire "stakes" in the buildings.