Sam Fender has given the entirety of his £25,000 Mercury Prize winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which operates to protect the Britain's grassroots music venues.
Fender was given the cheque on October 16 as his third album the album was chosen as the outstanding release of the previous year.
He has decided to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in acknowledgment of the vital role small stages fulfilled in his early career.
"As an artist wouldn't be doing this success if it wasn't for all the shows I did around the region, and elsewhere, when I was beginning," remarked the artist. "These locations are iconic, but they are struggling."
From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these venues have permanently closed – about 16 percent of the entire UK sector.
Recently, well-known musicians including Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the Music Venues Trust in its attempts to support the industry, by adding a modest fee to their ticket costs, which benefits local stages.
He also joined in, generating over £100k on his recent tour to help numerous small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The donation assisted venues that were facing possible closure due to challenges arising from water damage, fire incidents and family tragedies, as well as permit problems, legal disputes and neighbor objections.
Other venues obtained monetary aid in upgrading facilities and technical equipment that directly benefitted musicians and fans.
"The notion that funds from performances in large arenas backs the independent spots, where it begins for musicians like me, is just logical," Fender has commented.
Fender is far from the only musician to donate his award winnings to worthy causes.
Back when Pulp earned the award in the year 1996 for their record Different Class, frontman the singer stated that the group would contribute their winnings to the charity War Child.
That year, rapper and singer Ms Dynamite split her prize across several organizations, such as the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"And I contributed a £1,000 to my local community centre, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was growing up and they required updated gear," she told outlets.
Two years ago, the band donated their funds to the youth organization that nurtured their act, alongside other grassroots music organisations.
Additionally 1994 winners they gave their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was diagnosed the illness.
"The victory was ample," stated vocalist Heather Small. "The money was the extra but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the honor. So our victory impacted another person's life."
Last week, the trust shared it had protected a couple of small stages in the South East, by placing them under public stewardship.
The first in that area and The Croft in Bristol were acquired under the Own Our Venues program, which is funded by the arts council and music fans who purchase "shares" in the buildings.
