Sam Fender has handed over the complete sum of his twenty-five thousand pound award cash to the trust for venues, which functions to protect the United Kingdom's independent live music spots.
He was presented with the prize on October 16 as his third album the album was declared the outstanding release of the last 12 months.
The musician has decided to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the vital role local spots fulfilled in his early career.
"I would not have achieved this success if it hadn't been for all the gigs I performed around the area, and elsewhere, when I was starting out," stated Sam Fender. "These venues are iconic, but they are struggling."
Beginning in 2023, more than 150 of these locations have permanently closed – about 16 percent of the whole industry in the UK.
Recently, top acts including the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the trust in its efforts to keep the scene afloat, by including a modest fee to their ticket costs, which goes to help local stages.
Sam Fender also joined in, collecting more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to assist numerous grassroots venues across Britain.
The money assisted venues that were dealing with possible closure due to difficulties caused by flooding, fires and family tragedies, as well as regulatory hurdles, court cases and noise complaints.
Additional spaces were granted financial assistance in modernizing amenities and sound and lighting systems that directly benefitted artists and fans.
"The notion that funds from shows in major spaces helps the local stages, where it all starts for musicians like me, is just sensible," Fender has said.
He is among several artists to contribute his award funds to charitable organizations.
Back when they earned the award in the year 1996 for their album Different Class, frontman the singer stated that the act would contribute their winnings to the non-profit War Child.
In 2002, rapper and singer she shared her prize across multiple organizations, such as the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"Additionally, I donated a £1,000 to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I trained in gymnastics when I was growing up and they required updated gear," she explained to a publication.
Two years ago, the band donated their winnings to the youth organization that supported their band, as well as other local music groups.
And 1994 winners they donated their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was diagnosed the disease.
"Winning was sufficient," said artist Heather Small. "The prize was the bonus but we didn't require the bonus, because we had the honor. So our victory affected another person's life."
Last week, the MVT shared it had protected a couple of local spots in the South East, by transferring them to local control.
The first in that area and the other in Bristol were acquired under the public acquisition initiative, which is backed by a national body and music fans who acquire "stakes" in the venues.
