Sam Fender has handed over the complete sum of his twenty-five thousand pound Mercury Prize cash to the MVT, which functions to preserve the UK's small concert spaces.
He was given the cheque on 16 October as his latest record the album was chosen as the best record of the past year.
He has chosen to give the cash to the MVT, in appreciation of the crucial part grassroots venues played in his beginning days.
"As an artist wouldn't be doing my current career if it weren't for all the shows I played around the area, and beyond, when I was beginning," remarked Fender. "These venues are renowned, but they are facing challenges."
From early 2023 onward, over 150 of these locations have permanently closed – about one-sixth of the entire UK sector.
In the last year, top acts including Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the trust in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by including a small levy to their admission fees, which goes to help smaller concert halls.
Sam Fender also joined in, collecting over £100k on his recent tour to support numerous grassroots venues across Britain.
The money supported spaces that were facing possible closure due to challenges stemming from water damage, fire incidents and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and neighbor objections.
Other venues obtained financial assistance in modernizing facilities and gear that directly benefitted musicians and fans.
"The concept that funds from shows in major spaces backs the local stages, where it all starts for performers like me, is just sensible," Fender has commented.
Fender is far from the only musician to contribute his award prize money to charitable organizations.
In Pulp won the prize in 1996 for their album their work, vocalist the singer stated that the band would give their cash to the organization the charity.
In 2002, rapper and singer she split her award among several good causes, such as the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"Additionally, I gave a thousand pounds to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I trained in gymnastics when I was a child and they needed better apparatus," Ms Dynamite shared with a publication.
In recent years, they gave their funds to the youth organization that nurtured their band, in addition to other independent music bodies.
Additionally the 1994 recipients M People gave their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was identified with the condition.
"The victory was ample," said vocalist Small. "The prize was the cherry on top but we could do without the extra, because we had the cake. So our winning affected another person's life."
Recently, the MVT announced it had protected two local spots in that region, by transferring them to community ownership.
The first in Southampton and The Croft in that location were acquired under the community ownership initiative, which is backed by the arts council and enthusiasts who buy "stakes" in the venues.
