Sam Fender has given the full amount of his £25,000 honor cash to the Music Venues Trust, which works to protect the UK's small music venues.
He was presented with the cheque on October 16 as his new release his work was declared the top album of the last 12 months.
Fender has chosen to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the crucial part local spots played in his beginning days.
"As an artist would not have achieved my current career if it weren't for all the gigs I played around the area, and elsewhere, when I was beginning," said Sam Fender. "These locations are iconic, but they are struggling."
From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these locations have permanently closed – roughly one-sixth of the whole industry in the UK.
Recently, well-known musicians like Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the trust in its efforts to help venues survive, by adding a small levy to their ticket prices, which benefits local stages.
Sam Fender also took part, generating more than £100,000 on his live tour to assist thirty-eight small stages across Britain.
The donation supported spaces that were confronting potential shutdown due to issues caused by flooding, fire incidents and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and neighbor objections.
Other venues were granted funding support in improving facilities and technical equipment that directly benefitted musicians and audiences.
"The concept that funds from performances in big venues supports the smaller venues, where it all starts for musicians like me, is just common sense," Fender has stated.
Fender is not the first artist to donate his honor winnings to charitable organizations.
In they received the trophy in the year 1996 for their record Different Class, vocalist Cocker announced that the act would contribute their cash to the non-profit War Child.
That year, rapper and singer she shared her award among several good causes, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"I also donated a thousand pounds to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was growing up and they lacked updated gear," the artist explained to outlets.
Two years ago, the band donated their funds to the local youth club that developed their act, alongside other independent music bodies.
Also 1994 winners the group donated their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was identified with the illness.
"Receiving the award was quite enough," remarked artist Small. "The prize was the bonus but we could do without the extra, because we had the honor. So our victory affected the lives of others."
Recently, the Music Venues Trust shared it had saved two small stages in south-east England, by bringing them into public stewardship.
One venue in that area and the second in Bristol were bought under the community ownership scheme, which is supported by Arts Council England and supporters who purchase "ownership units" in the buildings.
