Sam Fender has handed over the full amount of his £25k Mercury Prize winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to protect the United Kingdom's grassroots live music spots.
Fender was awarded the cheque on mid-October as his latest record People Watching was named the best record of the past year.
He has decided to donate the funds to the MVT, in acknowledgment of the crucial part small stages fulfilled in his initial steps.
"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 starting out," remarked the artist. "These venues are legendary, but they are struggling."
Beginning in 2023, more than 150 of these venues have permanently closed – approximately one-sixth of the total UK scene.
Over the past year, top acts such as Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the trust in its efforts to support the industry, by adding a modest fee to their ticket prices, which goes to help independent venues.
Fender also participated, collecting more than £100,000 on his recent tour to assist thirty-eight grassroots venues across the UK.
The donation supported venues that were dealing with possible closure due to difficulties stemming from floods, fires and family tragedies, as well as regulatory hurdles, conflicts and noise complaints.
Some locations were granted financial assistance in improving facilities and technical equipment that positively impacted musicians and fans.
"The concept that revenue from shows in large arenas backs the local stages, where it all starts for artists like me, is just logical," the star has stated.
He is not the first artist to give his award prize money to good deeds.
When the band earned the award in the mid-90s for their release the album, vocalist the singer announced that the group would give their cash to the organization War Child.
In 2002, musician she divided her award among a few organizations, such as the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"I also donated a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I trained in gymnastics when I was growing up and they needed updated gear," Ms Dynamite shared with outlets.
Two years ago, the band gave their funds to the community center that developed their group, in addition to other local music groups.
Also 1994 winners M People donated their award to a charity for MS after a close contact was found to have the disease.
"The victory was quite enough," stated vocalist Heather Small. "The prize was the cherry on top but we could do without the bonus, because we had the cake. So our success impacted the lives of others."
Last week, the trust shared it had rescued two small stages in the South East, by bringing them into public stewardship.
The Joiners in Southampton and the second in the city were purchased under the community ownership scheme, which is supported by the arts council and music fans who buy "shares" in the properties.
