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Sam Fender has given the entirety of his £25k Mercury Prize prize money to the trust for venues, which functions to preserve the UK's independent concert spaces.

He was presented with the cheque on 16 October as his new release the album was named the top album of the past year.

The musician has opted to hand the money over to the trust, in acknowledgment of the essential function grassroots venues had in his beginning days.

"As an artist wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if it wasn't for all the gigs I performed around the area, and elsewhere, when I was just getting going," remarked Fender. "These venues are legendary, but they are facing challenges."

Beginning in 2023, at least 150 of these spaces have ceased operations – approximately 16 percent of the entire UK sector.

In the last year, major artists such as Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its initiatives to help venues survive, by adding a minor surcharge to their ticket costs, which goes to help smaller concert halls.

Sam Fender also joined in, collecting over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to support 38 small stages across the UK.

These funds supported locations that were confronting imminent closure due to difficulties caused by flooding, blazes and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and neighbor objections.

Other venues were granted funding support in upgrading facilities and sound and lighting systems that helped artists and concertgoers.

"The notion that revenue from concerts in major spaces supports the independent spots, where it kicks off for artists like me, is just sensible," Fender has commented.

He is far from the only musician to contribute his honor funds to good deeds.

When Pulp won the trophy in the year 1996 for their record their work, vocalist the singer announced that the band would contribute their prize money to the non-profit War Child.

In 2002, rapper and singer she divided her award among a few good causes, such as the children's charity and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"Additionally, I gave a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they needed new equipment," she shared with the media.

Two years ago, the band donated their winnings to the local youth club that nurtured their group, as well as other independent music bodies.

Additionally winners that year they gave their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was found to have the illness.

"The victory was sufficient," stated singer Small. "The prize was the bonus but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the cake. So our success impacted the lives of others."

In the past week, the MVT announced it had saved a couple of small stages in south-east England, by transferring them to public stewardship.

The Joiners in Southampton and the other in the city were bought under the community ownership scheme, which is backed by the arts council and enthusiasts who acquire "ownership units" in the buildings.