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The star has handed over the complete sum of his £25k award cash to the MVT, which operates to preserve the United Kingdom's small concert spaces.

The star was presented with the prize on 16 October as his latest record the album was declared the best record of the past year.

The musician has opted to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in recognition of the crucial part local spots played in his beginning days.

"As an artist would not have achieved my current career if it wasn't for all the performances I did around the area, and further afield, when I was starting out," said Sam Fender. "These locations are iconic, but they are facing challenges."

From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these venues have permanently closed – approximately 16% of the entire UK sector.

In the last year, major artists like Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the trust in its efforts to keep the scene afloat, by applying a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which benefits local stages.

Sam Fender also participated, generating more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to assist numerous small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.

These funds supported venues that were confronting potential shutdown due to difficulties caused by flooding, fires and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, court cases and noise complaints.

Other venues received monetary aid in modernizing amenities and sound and lighting systems that positively impacted artists and fans.

"The concept that revenue from concerts in big venues helps the smaller venues, where it all starts for artists like me, is just sensible," Fender has commented.

The musician is far from the only musician to give his honor funds to charitable organizations.

Back when they earned the trophy in 1996 for their album the album, lead singer the singer stated that the band would donate their prize money to the non-profit War Child.

During 2002, musician Ms Dynamite divided her bounty among several organizations, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.

"Additionally, I gave a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I trained in gymnastics when I was a child and they required better apparatus," she shared with outlets.

In recent years, they gave their prize money to the community center that developed their band, as well as other independent music bodies.

And the 1994 recipients M People contributed their winnings to a MS organization after a acquaintance was diagnosed the condition.

"The victory was quite enough," remarked singer Heather Small. "The cash was the bonus but we didn't require the extra, because we had the main prize. So our winning affected the lives of others."

Last week, the trust announced it had saved several grassroots venues in south-east England, by placing them under public stewardship.

One venue in the city and the second in the city were acquired under the public acquisition initiative, which is supported by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who purchase "shares" in the properties.