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The artist has handed over the complete sum of his £25k award prize money to the MVT, which operates to preserve the United Kingdom's independent live music spots.

Fender was given the prize on 16 October as his new release his work was declared the top album of the last 12 months.

He has decided to give the cash to the trust, in recognition of the crucial part small stages fulfilled in his initial steps.

"I personally would not have achieved my current career if it wasn't for all the performances I did around the North East, and beyond, when I was starting out," stated the artist. "These locations are legendary, but they are in difficulty."

Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these spaces have ceased operations – approximately one-sixth of the whole industry in the UK.

Over the past year, well-known musicians such as Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its initiatives to support the industry, by adding a modest fee to their ticket costs, which goes to help independent venues.

Sam Fender also participated, raising in excess of £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to support thirty-eight grassroots venues across the UK.

The money supported spaces that were facing imminent closure due to challenges caused by water damage, fire incidents and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and sound issues.

Other venues received monetary aid in upgrading infrastructure and gear that directly benefitted musicians and concertgoers.

"The concept that revenue from concerts in large arenas backs the smaller venues, where it kicks off for artists like me, is just common sense," Fender has commented.

He is far from the only musician to contribute his honor winnings to worthy causes.

Back when Pulp received the trophy in 1996 for their album the album, frontman Jarvis Cocker stated that the act would give their cash to the charity War Child.

In 2002, rapper and singer the artist split her bounty among several charities, such as the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.

"And I donated a grand to my local community centre, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they needed new equipment," Ms Dynamite explained to a publication.

In recent years, Ezra Collective gave their winnings to the local youth club that supported their act, in addition to other local music groups.

Also 1994 winners M People gave their prize to a charity for MS after a close contact was diagnosed the illness.

"The victory was ample," stated singer Heather Small. "The cash was the extra but we could do without the bonus, because we had the cake. So our victory affected another person's life."

Last week, the MVT revealed it had protected two local spots in that region, by transferring them to local control.

One venue in the city and the second in the city were purchased under the public acquisition program, which is backed by a national body and enthusiasts who acquire "stakes" in the buildings.