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The star has handed over the complete sum of his £25,000 Mercury Prize winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to preserve the UK's grassroots music venues.

He was awarded the award on 16 October as his latest record his work was declared the top album of the past year.

The musician has decided to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in acknowledgment of the vital role grassroots venues played in his beginning days.

"I personally couldn't be pursuing this success if it weren't for all the performances I did around the area, and beyond, when I was just getting going," stated the artist. "These venues are renowned, but they are in difficulty."

Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these venues have shut down – roughly 16% of the entire UK sector.

Recently, top acts like Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its efforts to support the industry, by applying a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which benefits smaller concert halls.

He also participated, raising more than £100,000 on his recent tour to assist numerous grassroots venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The donation supported spaces that were dealing with imminent closure due to difficulties arising from flooding, fire incidents and bereavements, as well as regulatory hurdles, conflicts and sound issues.

Some locations obtained financial assistance in modernizing amenities and gear that directly benefitted artists and audiences.

"The notion that revenue from concerts in major spaces supports the smaller venues, where it all starts for musicians like me, is just logical," Sam Fender has commented.

Fender is not the first artist to contribute his honor funds to good deeds.

Back when Pulp received the prize in the mid-90s for their record their work, vocalist Cocker announced that the band would contribute their winnings to the non-profit War Child.

During 2002, musician the artist split her award among several organizations, like the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.

"And I gave a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they needed better apparatus," she told a publication.

Two years ago, they gave their funds to the local youth club that developed their act, alongside other local music groups.

Additionally the 1994 recipients the group donated their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was diagnosed the condition.

"Winning was ample," stated vocalist Small. "The cash was the bonus but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the main prize. So our success affected another person's life."

Last week, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had rescued several local spots in that region, by bringing them into local control.

One venue in Southampton and the other in the city were acquired under the community ownership program, which is backed by the arts council and supporters who buy "shares" in the buildings.