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The artist has given the entirety of his £25,000 Mercury Prize cash to the MVT, which functions to preserve the UK's independent concert spaces.

The star was presented with the cheque on October 16 as his latest record People Watching was chosen as the outstanding release of the last 12 months.

He has decided to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in recognition of the essential function small stages played in his early career.

"I personally couldn't be pursuing what I am doing today if it weren't for all the performances I performed around the area, and further afield, when I was beginning," said Sam Fender. "These venues are iconic, but they are struggling."

Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these venues have permanently closed – roughly 16% of the whole industry in the UK.

Recently, well-known musicians like Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the trust in its initiatives to support the industry, by adding a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which benefits smaller concert halls.

He also took part, raising more than £100,000 on his live tour to assist 38 local spots across the UK.

The donation supported locations that were dealing with potential shutdown due to issues stemming from flooding, fire incidents and personal losses, as well as permit problems, court cases and noise complaints.

Other venues received monetary aid in upgrading amenities and technical equipment that directly benefitted performers and audiences.

"The concept that funds from concerts in major spaces backs the local stages, where it all starts for performers like me, is just sensible," the star has stated.

The musician is not the first artist to give his Mercury Prize winnings to charitable organizations.

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

In 2002, artist the artist shared her bounty between several organizations, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.

"And I contributed a grand to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they required updated gear," Ms Dynamite explained to a publication.

In recent years, they gave their prize money to the youth organization that nurtured their group, as well as other grassroots music organisations.

And winners that year M People contributed their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was diagnosed the condition.

"Winning was ample," remarked singer the singer. "The prize was the cherry on top but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the honor. So our success touched another person's life."

In the past week, the MVT revealed it had rescued two small stages in that region, by bringing them into local control.

The Joiners in that area and the other in the city were bought under the community ownership scheme, which is supported by a national body and enthusiasts who purchase "shares" in the venues.