Sam Fender has donated the entirety of his £25,000 honor prize money to the trust for venues, which functions to protect the United Kingdom's independent music venues.
He was awarded the cheque on 16 October as his third album People Watching was chosen as the outstanding release of the previous year.
He has opted to hand the money over to the MVT, in appreciation of the crucial part local spots fulfilled in his beginning days.
"As an artist would not have achieved my current career if it hadn't been for all the shows I played around the area, and beyond, when I was just getting going," stated the artist. "These locations are renowned, but they are facing challenges."
Beginning in 2023, over 150 of these spaces have permanently closed – approximately one-sixth of the total UK scene.
Recently, well-known musicians such as the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its attempts to support the industry, by adding a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which supports independent venues.
Fender also participated, raising in excess of £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to support thirty-eight local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The donation assisted venues that were confronting potential shutdown due to challenges stemming from water damage, fire incidents and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and neighbor objections.
Some locations received monetary aid in improving amenities and gear that positively impacted artists and concertgoers.
"The concept that funds from concerts in large arenas backs the independent spots, where it kicks off for artists like me, is just logical," the star has said.
He is far from the only musician to give his award funds to good deeds.
In they earned the trophy in the year 1996 for their album Different Class, frontman Cocker stated that the act would give their winnings to the charity the charity.
That year, artist Ms Dynamite shared her award among a few charities, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"And I gave a £1,000 to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I trained in gymnastics when I was a child and they lacked better apparatus," she explained to a publication.
Two years ago, they contributed their funds to the local youth club that nurtured their group, in addition to other grassroots music organisations.
Also 1994 winners they contributed their prize to a MS organization after a acquaintance was identified with the condition.
"The victory was quite enough," stated vocalist the singer. "The prize was the bonus but we didn't require the extra, because we had the honor. So our winning impacted somebody else's life."
Last week, the Music Venues Trust shared it had rescued several small stages in the South East, by placing them under community ownership.
One venue in the city and The Croft in Bristol were acquired under the community ownership program, which is backed by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who purchase "shares" in the venues.
