Sam Fender has given the complete sum of his twenty-five thousand pound award winnings to the MVT, which works to preserve the United Kingdom's small live music spots.
Fender was given the cheque on October 16 as his latest record the album was declared the top album of the last 12 months.
Fender has opted to donate the funds to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the crucial part small stages had in his initial steps.
"I wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if it hadn't been for all the gigs I did around the North East, and further afield, when I was starting out," stated Sam Fender. "These spaces are iconic, but they are in difficulty."
Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these spaces have ceased operations – roughly 16 percent of the whole industry in the UK.
Recently, well-known musicians like Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the trust in its efforts to help venues survive, by including a minor surcharge to their ticket costs, which supports independent venues.
Fender also participated, raising more than £100,000 on his recent tour to support 38 small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.
These funds supported spaces that were dealing with potential shutdown due to challenges arising from water damage, fire incidents and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, court cases and noise complaints.
Other venues were granted financial assistance in modernizing amenities and sound and lighting systems that directly benefitted performers and fans.
"The notion that funds from shows in large arenas supports the independent spots, where it kicks off for artists like me, is just logical," Sam Fender has commented.
The musician is far from the only musician to give his honor funds to worthy causes.
In Pulp earned the prize in the year 1996 for their release Different Class, vocalist Jarvis Cocker declared that the act would contribute their winnings to the non-profit the charity.
During 2002, artist she split her award across several charities, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.
"I also donated a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they needed updated gear," she explained to a publication.
Two years ago, they contributed their winnings to the youth organization that developed their group, in addition to other independent music bodies.
Also 1994 winners the group donated their winnings to a MS organization after a friend was found to have the condition.
"The victory was ample," stated vocalist Small. "The cash was the bonus but we could do without the extra, because we had the honor. So our winning impacted another person's life."
Recently, the trust announced it had protected several small stages in the South East, by placing them under public stewardship.
The first in Southampton and the other in Bristol were acquired under the public acquisition program, which is backed by a national body and supporters who acquire "stakes" in the buildings.
