Sam Fender has donated the entirety of his twenty-five thousand pound award winnings to the MVT, which works to protect the Britain's independent live music spots.
The star was given the cheque on 16 October as his new release People Watching was named the outstanding release of the previous year.
He has decided to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in acknowledgment of the essential function grassroots venues fulfilled in his beginning days.
"I personally would not have achieved what I am doing today if it hadn't been for all the gigs I did around the North East, and further afield, when I was beginning," stated the artist. "These venues are legendary, but they are facing challenges."
Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these venues have ceased operations – about one-sixth of the total UK scene.
Recently, well-known musicians such as Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to keep the scene afloat, by applying a small levy to their admission fees, which goes to help smaller concert halls.
He also joined in, raising over £100k on his recent tour to help 38 grassroots venues across Britain.
The money supported venues that were confronting imminent closure due to difficulties caused by water damage, blazes and personal losses, as well as regulatory hurdles, conflicts and sound issues.
Other venues received monetary aid in upgrading infrastructure and sound and lighting systems that positively impacted performers and audiences.
"The notion that revenue from performances in large arenas helps the independent spots, where it begins for performers like me, is just common sense," Sam Fender has stated.
Fender is among several artists to contribute his award winnings to worthy causes.
Back when Pulp received the award in the mid-90s for their release the album, vocalist the singer announced that the act would donate their winnings to the non-profit War Child.
During 2002, artist Ms Dynamite split her award across multiple good causes, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.
"Additionally, I gave a £1,000 to the center, to their classes, because I trained in gymnastics when I was a child and they needed better apparatus," she shared with the media.
Two years ago, Ezra Collective gave their winnings to the youth organization that developed their band, as well as other independent music bodies.
And 1994 winners M People contributed their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a close contact was diagnosed the condition.
"Receiving the award was ample," remarked vocalist Small. "The money was the extra but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the honor. So our victory touched the lives of others."
Last week, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had protected several local spots in that region, by transferring them to public stewardship.
The Joiners in the city and the other in that location were acquired under the Own Our Venues initiative, which is funded by Arts Council England and supporters who purchase "shares" in the properties.
