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The star has handed over the entirety of his £25,000 honor winnings to the MVT, which functions to preserve the Britain's independent music venues.

Fender was given the prize on October 16 as his third album the album was named the outstanding release of the last 12 months.

Fender has decided to hand the money over to the MVT, in acknowledgment of the vital role small stages had in his early career.

"I would not have achieved what I am doing today if it hadn't been for all the gigs I performed around the region, and beyond, when I was just getting going," said the artist. "These locations are renowned, but they are struggling."

Beginning in 2023, at least 150 of these spaces have ceased operations – about one-sixth of the entire UK sector.

Over the past year, well-known musicians such as Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its initiatives to support the industry, by applying a small levy to their ticket prices, which benefits independent venues.

Sam Fender also joined in, generating over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to support thirty-eight grassroots venues across the UK.

The money helped venues that were dealing with imminent closure due to issues caused by floods, blazes and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and noise complaints.

Other venues obtained financial assistance in improving amenities and technical equipment that helped artists and fans.

"The notion that revenue from concerts in big venues backs the local stages, where it all starts for performers like me, is just sensible," the star has said.

He is not the first artist to donate his honor winnings to worthy causes.

Back when the band won the award in the year 1996 for their album the album, frontman Cocker stated that the band would contribute their winnings to the charity War Child.

That year, rapper and singer Ms Dynamite divided her bounty across multiple charities, such as the children's charity and a Sickle Cell organization.

"Additionally, I gave a grand to the center, to their classes, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they required updated gear," she shared with the media.

Two years ago, they donated their funds to the community center that developed their act, in addition to other local music groups.

Also winners that year the group gave their winnings to a charity for MS after a friend was found to have the illness.

"Receiving the award was ample," stated singer the singer. "The prize was the extra but we could do without the bonus, because we had the cake. So our success touched another person's life."

In the past week, the Music Venues Trust announced it had protected several grassroots venues in that region, by transferring them to public stewardship.

The Joiners in Southampton and the second in that location were bought under the community ownership program, which is supported by the arts council and enthusiasts who purchase "stakes" in the properties.