Sam Fender has handed over the complete sum of his twenty-five thousand pound Mercury Prize prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to save the Britain's independent live music spots.
The star was awarded the award on October 16 as his new release his work was chosen as the best record of the last 12 months.
The musician has chosen to give the cash to the trust, in acknowledgment of the vital role small stages played in his beginning days.
"As an artist couldn't be pursuing this success if it weren't for all the performances I performed around the region, and further afield, when I was just getting going," remarked Sam Fender. "These venues are iconic, but they are in difficulty."
From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these venues have ceased operations – approximately 16% of the total UK scene.
Recently, well-known musicians such as the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its initiatives to help venues survive, by including a minor surcharge to their ticket costs, which benefits independent venues.
Sam Fender also joined in, raising in excess of £100,000 on his live tour to support numerous grassroots venues across Britain.
The donation assisted venues that were facing imminent closure due to difficulties caused by floods, fire incidents and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, court cases and noise complaints.
Some locations received funding support in improving amenities and gear that helped musicians and fans.
"The idea that revenue from concerts in large arenas helps the independent spots, where it kicks off for artists like me, is just sensible," Fender has said.
Fender is not the first artist to contribute his award winnings to worthy causes.
Back when the band won the award in the year 1996 for their album the album, vocalist Jarvis Cocker announced that the act would give their winnings to the charity the charity.
In 2002, musician Ms Dynamite divided her prize among a few organizations, like the children's charity and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"Additionally, I donated a thousand pounds to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they needed new equipment," the artist explained to a publication.
Two years ago, the band gave their winnings to the local youth club that supported their group, in addition to other independent music bodies.
Also the 1994 recipients the group gave their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was identified with the disease.
"Winning was sufficient," remarked singer the singer. "The money was the extra but we could do without the bonus, because we had the honor. So our victory affected another person's life."
Last week, the trust announced it had saved several local spots in south-east England, by bringing them into public stewardship.
One venue in Southampton and the other in that location were acquired under the Own Our Venues program, which is funded by the arts council and enthusiasts who purchase "stakes" in the buildings.
