Sam Fender has handed over the complete sum of his twenty-five thousand pound award prize money to the MVT, which functions to preserve the Britain's independent music venues.
Fender was awarded the award on October 16 as his new release the album was chosen as the best record of the last 12 months.
He has decided to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the crucial part grassroots venues played in his beginning days.
"As an artist couldn't be pursuing my current career if it weren't for all the shows I did around the area, and further afield, when I was just getting going," stated Sam Fender. "These locations are iconic, but they are struggling."
From early 2023 onward, more than 150 of these locations have permanently closed – roughly 16% of the total UK scene.
In the last year, major artists such as Pulp, the group Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its initiatives to support the industry, by applying a small levy to their ticket costs, which goes to help smaller concert halls.
He also participated, generating over £100k on his live tour to help numerous grassroots venues across the UK.
The donation helped spaces that were dealing with potential shutdown due to difficulties caused by water damage, fires and personal losses, as well as permit problems, conflicts and noise complaints.
Some locations received monetary aid in upgrading amenities and sound and lighting systems that helped performers and concertgoers.
"The concept that money from concerts in large arenas backs the local stages, where it all starts for artists like me, is just logical," the star has commented.
The musician is not the first artist to give his Mercury Prize winnings to good deeds.
Back when they received the prize in the year 1996 for their record Different Class, lead singer Cocker stated that the band would give their prize money to the non-profit War Child.
In 2002, artist Ms Dynamite divided her prize among multiple good causes, including the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.
"And I gave a £1,000 to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they required new equipment," the artist told the media.
In recent years, they gave their prize money to the local youth club that nurtured their act, in addition to other grassroots music organisations.
Also the 1994 recipients the group contributed their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a close contact was diagnosed the illness.
"The victory was ample," stated artist Heather Small. "The money was the cherry on top but we didn't need the extra, because we had the honor. So our victory touched the lives of others."
Last week, the Music Venues Trust shared it had protected a couple of local spots in south-east England, by placing them under public stewardship.
The first in that area and the other in the city were acquired under the Own Our Venues initiative, which is funded by Arts Council England and music fans who purchase "shares" in the properties.
