Sam Fender has given the full amount of his £25k Mercury Prize prize money to the trust for venues, which works to save the UK's grassroots music venues.
The star was given the cheque on October 16 as his new release the album was chosen as the outstanding release of the previous year.
The musician has chosen to hand the money over to the MVT, in acknowledgment of the essential function small stages fulfilled in his initial steps.
"As an artist wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if it weren't for all the gigs I played around the North East, and elsewhere, when I was just getting going," said Sam Fender. "These spaces are iconic, but they are facing challenges."
Beginning in 2023, more than 150 of these venues have permanently closed – approximately one-sixth of the total UK scene.
Recently, well-known musicians including Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the Music Venues Trust in its attempts to support the industry, by applying a minor surcharge to their ticket costs, which goes to help independent venues.
He also joined in, generating in excess of £100,000 on his recent tour to support 38 local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The money supported locations that were dealing with possible closure due to issues stemming from water damage, blazes and family tragedies, as well as regulatory hurdles, court cases and neighbor objections.
Some locations obtained monetary aid in modernizing facilities and sound and lighting systems that positively impacted performers and fans.
"The idea that money from performances in major spaces supports the local stages, where it all starts for musicians like me, is just logical," the star has said.
The musician is among several artists to give his award funds to worthy causes.
When Pulp won the trophy in the year 1996 for their release their work, frontman Cocker announced that the group would contribute their winnings to the non-profit the charity.
That year, musician Ms Dynamite split her bounty across a few good causes, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.
"I also contributed a £1,000 to my local community centre, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they required new equipment," Ms Dynamite told a publication.
Previously, they donated their funds to the youth organization that developed their band, in addition to other local music groups.
And the 1994 recipients they contributed their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was diagnosed the illness.
"Winning was sufficient," stated artist Heather Small. "The prize was the cherry on top but we didn't require the bonus, because we had the cake. So our winning affected somebody else's life."
Last week, the MVT revealed it had rescued two local spots in that region, by placing them under public stewardship.
The Joiners in Southampton and the second in that location were bought under the public acquisition initiative, which is funded by the arts council and enthusiasts who buy "ownership units" in the properties.
