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The artist has handed over the complete sum of his £25k Mercury Prize winnings to the MVT, which functions to protect the UK's independent live music spots.

The star was presented with the cheque on mid-October as his third album his work was chosen as 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 small stages fulfilled in his initial steps.

"As an artist couldn't be pursuing my current career if it weren't for all the shows I did around the area, and beyond, when I was just getting going," stated Sam Fender. "These locations are iconic, but they are in difficulty."

Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these spaces have permanently closed – approximately one-sixth of the total UK scene.

Over the past year, major artists such as Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its initiatives to help venues survive, by applying a minor surcharge to their ticket costs, which goes to help smaller concert halls.

Fender also took part, collecting over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to help 38 local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The donation supported spaces that were dealing with possible closure due to difficulties stemming from floods, fire incidents and family tragedies, as well as regulatory hurdles, court cases and sound issues.

Some locations received funding support in upgrading facilities and technical equipment that positively impacted musicians and concertgoers.

"The idea that money from performances in large arenas backs the independent spots, where it all starts for artists like me, is just common sense," the star has said.

He is not the first artist to give his Mercury Prize funds to charitable organizations.

When they earned the award in the mid-90s for their album the album, lead singer Jarvis Cocker announced that the group would give their cash to the non-profit the charity.

In 2002, musician Ms Dynamite shared her prize among a few good causes, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.

"I also donated a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they required updated gear," she explained to outlets.

In recent years, they contributed their prize money to the youth organization that nurtured their act, as well as other local music groups.

Additionally winners that year the group contributed their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a close contact was identified with the disease.

"Receiving the award was quite enough," remarked singer Heather Small. "The prize was the bonus but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our victory touched the lives of others."

Last week, the trust announced it had protected several grassroots venues in that region, by transferring them to community ownership.

The first in Southampton and The Croft in Bristol were purchased under the community ownership initiative, which is backed by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who acquire "shares" in the venues.