Sam Fender has donated the full amount of his £25,000 award prize money to the MVT, which works to save the UK's independent live music spots.
He was awarded the cheque on 16 October as his new release People Watching was named the top album of the last 12 months.
He has decided to give the cash to the MVT, in appreciation of the essential function local spots had in his beginning days.
"I would not have achieved this success if it weren't for all the gigs I performed around the area, and elsewhere, when I was starting out," said Sam Fender. "These venues are iconic, but they are facing challenges."
From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these spaces have ceased operations – about 16% of the total UK scene.
Over the past year, major artists such as Pulp, the group Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by including a small levy to their ticket costs, which supports smaller concert halls.
He also participated, generating more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to support thirty-eight grassroots venues across the UK.
The donation helped locations that were dealing with imminent closure due to challenges stemming from flooding, fire incidents and family tragedies, as well as regulatory hurdles, conflicts and sound issues.
Other venues received funding support in improving infrastructure and sound and lighting systems that helped performers and concertgoers.
"The idea that funds from concerts in big venues helps the smaller venues, where it begins for performers like me, is just common sense," the star has commented.
He is among several artists to give his honor winnings to charitable organizations.
Back when the band won the award in the year 1996 for their release Different Class, vocalist Cocker stated that the band would contribute their winnings to the charity War Child.
In 2002, artist the artist shared her award among several organizations, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.
"Additionally, I contributed a grand to my local community centre, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they needed updated gear," the artist told a publication.
Two years ago, Ezra Collective gave their funds to the local youth club that nurtured their group, as well as other local music groups.
Additionally 1994 winners they gave their prize to a charity for MS after a close contact was identified with the illness.
"The victory was ample," stated artist Small. "The money was the cherry on top but we didn't need the extra, because we had the cake. So our victory impacted the lives of others."
Recently, the trust shared it had rescued a couple of small stages in south-east England, by placing them under local control.
The first in the city and the second in the city were bought under the public acquisition initiative, which is funded by the arts council and enthusiasts who acquire "stakes" in the properties.
