Sam Fender has handed over the complete sum of his £25,000 honor cash to the Music Venues Trust, which operates to save the UK's independent concert spaces.
Fender was given the award on mid-October as his new release the album was named the outstanding release of the last 12 months.
The musician has opted to donate the funds to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the vital role grassroots venues had in his beginning days.
"I personally wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if it wasn't for all the shows I performed around the region, and further afield, when I was just getting going," stated the artist. "These spaces are renowned, but they are facing challenges."
Beginning in 2023, at least 150 of these venues have shut down – approximately one-sixth of the total UK scene.
In the last year, major artists including the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to support the industry, by adding a minor surcharge to their ticket costs, which benefits local stages.
He also took part, generating over £100k on his live tour to assist 38 small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The money supported locations that were confronting potential shutdown due to challenges caused by water damage, fire incidents and family tragedies, as well as permit problems, legal disputes and neighbor objections.
Additional spaces received monetary aid in upgrading infrastructure and technical equipment that helped musicians and concertgoers.
"The concept that money from concerts in large arenas backs the local stages, where it begins for performers like me, is just logical," the star has commented.
Fender is far from the only musician to give his award funds to good deeds.
When the band received the award in the mid-90s for their record their work, vocalist Jarvis Cocker announced that the group would donate their prize money to the non-profit War Child.
That year, artist the artist split her prize among a few good causes, including the children's charity and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"I also donated a £1,000 to my local community centre, to their gymnastics class, because I trained in gymnastics when I was a child and they required new equipment," the artist shared with the media.
Two years ago, the band gave their prize money to the youth organization that developed their band, alongside other local music groups.
And the 1994 recipients M People contributed their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was identified with the illness.
"Receiving the award was sufficient," stated vocalist Heather Small. "The cash was the cherry on top but we didn't require the cherry, because we had the cake. So our victory impacted the lives of others."
Last week, the trust revealed it had protected a couple of local spots in that region, by transferring them to public stewardship.
One venue in Southampton and The Croft in the city were acquired under the community ownership scheme, which is funded by the arts council and music fans who buy "ownership units" in the properties.
