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Sam Fender has given the entirety of his £25,000 award winnings to the trust for venues, which operates to protect the United Kingdom's grassroots live music spots.

The star was awarded the cheque on 16 October as his latest record his work was chosen as the outstanding release of the previous year.

Fender has opted to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in recognition of the essential function small stages had in his initial steps.

"I wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if it weren't for all the gigs I performed around the region, and beyond, when I was beginning," remarked the artist. "These venues are legendary, but they are in difficulty."

Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these venues have shut down – about 16% of the total UK scene.

In the last year, well-known musicians such as Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its efforts to support the industry, by including a small levy to their ticket costs, which benefits independent venues.

Fender also joined in, collecting in excess of £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to support numerous grassroots venues across Britain.

The money helped spaces that were dealing with imminent closure due to difficulties arising from floods, fires and personal losses, as well as permit problems, conflicts and neighbor objections.

Additional spaces received funding support in upgrading infrastructure and technical equipment that directly benefitted musicians and fans.

"The notion that money from concerts in large arenas helps the smaller venues, where it all starts for musicians like me, is just sensible," Sam Fender has said.

He is far from the only musician to contribute his award funds to worthy causes.

Back when Pulp earned the trophy in 1996 for their album Different Class, lead singer the singer announced that the band would contribute their cash to the organization War Child.

In 2002, rapper and singer she divided her prize between multiple good causes, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.

"And I donated a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked new equipment," the artist shared with outlets.

Previously, Ezra Collective gave their funds to the local youth club that developed their act, as well as other grassroots music organisations.

Additionally the 1994 recipients they gave their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was found to have the condition.

"The victory was ample," said vocalist the singer. "The money was the cherry on top but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the cake. So our success touched somebody else's life."

Last week, the trust announced it had protected a couple of small stages in that region, by transferring them to local control.

The first in the city and the second in the city were bought under the public acquisition initiative, which is supported by Arts Council England and supporters who buy "stakes" in the buildings.